Cycling on pavements

There has been no relaxation regarding cyclists riding on pedestrian footways unless there are signs showing that cycling is allowed. Cycling on the footway in England and Wales is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 as amended by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888.

The Council is not responsible for enforcement and this remains the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police. In August 1999, the Home Office extended the fixed penalty notice system to cover the offence of cycling on the footway. The choice of issuing a fixed penalty notice, a prosecution, or a warning is a matter for the Metropolitan Police. Fixed penalty notices cannot be issued to children under the age of 16.

If you have any issues relating to cycling on the footway in your location, then you should contact the local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

The Council recognises that footway cycling is an important issue and has expanded cycle training provision for adults. This stresses the importance of legal and considerate cycling as well as practical training on how to cycle safely and confidently on busy roads to discourage the use of pedestrian footways by cyclists.