Cyclists ARE permited on footpaths in Tasmania!

[thecaptn]

I've just read on the Bicycle Tasmania website that "Cyclists of all ages are permited on footpaths in Tasmania unless otherwise signed." This is a remarkably sensible idea which if applied in all states and teritories I believe would get more people riding and reduce road trauma rates for cyclists.

brilliant!

My partener disagrees with me and we are having an enthusiastic discusion regarding the pro's and cons for riders and pedestrians.

Would anyone else like to comment?

[Oxford]

Qld already has that rule. I have no problem with it, but ped's seem to and motorists use it as an excuse to be abusive and tell you where you should be if not on the road.

[thecaptn]

We were abused on the lake Wendoree walking/riding track today for no reason. Some people just hate cyclists.

[skull]

Yes cyclist may be permitted on footpaths in tassie. Unfortunately people there don't know this and will still be tool bags

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[mcdurdin]

To be clear, there are places (e.g. CBD) where riding on the footpaths is not permitted, at least during the day. This does not stop some tool bag riders. IMO riding on the footpath is okay where there is space and not a lot of pedestrian traffic. Or if you are 5 years old. But tool bags will be tool bags, whether they are riders, pedestrians or drivers.

[WestcoastPete]

I'm in Japan at the moment where it's the norm to cycle on the footpaths. It works very well as far as user harmony goes, but it's much slower getting anywhere and it means that cycling on the road, although perfectly legal, is much less expected. There's a different culture towards it here though too, so the concept isn't necessarily directly transferable.

You can ride on footpaths back home in the NT and you don't even have wear a helmet to do so. I'm supportive of this, but encourage proficient cyclists to use the road for a number of reasons:

A) As soon as you leave the road you leave all rights-of-way behind (yes, I know there's no such thing as "right-of-way", but you know what I mean)

B) There's a fair bit of research that suggests that you're more likely to be hit when cycling on the footpath

C) It's slow and bumpy, and often overgrown and it often runs out

D) There are often unpredictable pedestrians on it, and good on them

Here's a little video on it. It's wrong, in that you cab cycle on the footpath in other places other than the NT, but otherwise it's convincing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q08bxjat1P4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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[thecaptn]

Good video and I aggree with what it says.

I just think that it makes sense to allow cyclists to make the choice for them selves. I don't immagine you ever see bunch rides of twenty blokes doing forty kms an hour on the footpaths in the Territory and it wouldn't happen here in Vic. In the interest of safety a granny tootling home with her groceries in a pannier may be safer away from the Hwy.

Any initiatives that can potentially reduce the risk of death or road trauma for cyclists should be welcome in my view.