When can I ride on the sidewalks by bike, and when not?

Now many people prefer to lead a healthy lifestyle. A great way to keep fit is to ride your bike from time to time. But in order for the trip not to cause any problems to anyone, you need to know all the rules of driving this vehicle.

Riding a bicycle on the roadway is currently dangerous. After all, the movement there is too fast, and it is very difficult for cyclists to adapt to it. Therefore, very often you can see people who move on their vehicle on the sidewalk. However, this is prohibited today, and according to the new traffic rules, you can ride a bicycle only in certain cases.

First you need to decide what the pavement is. This is part of the road where only pedestrians usually move. It is located near the roadway. Modern pedestrian paths can be found in parks, squares, and near residential buildings. Cycling along the sidewalk or footpaths is possible in cases where there is no:

• specially designated bicycle zones;
• equipped bike paths;
• separate lanes intended for cyclists;
• roadsides on which only pedestrians move.

In addition, you can ride a bicycle on the sidewalk:

• all children from 7 to 14 years old;
• adults who accompany children on bicycles under 14 years old.

Primarily, the cyclist must take care of the condition of his vehicle. There should not be any problems with him. Particular attention should be paid to the brakes. In addition, the classic model must certainly complement the reflectors, as well as lights used in the dark. As for the cyclist himself, he must perfectly understand all the road signs.

Cyclists should ride on footpaths, without interfering with pedestrians or other cyclists. In the case of group movement, cyclists are required to move one after another, observing a certain distance. The group should not exceed 10 people. It’s not necessary to go too fast so as not to accidentally harm pedestrians.

Regarding the pedestrian crossings that are regulated, cyclists are required to obey traffic signals or traffic controllers. In the event that unregulated crossings come across their path, all cyclists must necessarily give way to a pedestrian. In addition, you need to give way to a person who goes to a stopped tram or bus.

You cannot turn around on pedestrian crossings on a bicycle. In this case, you must dismount and cross the road like a regular pedestrian. However, one must not move along the pedestrian crossing itself, but next to the zebra.

In the case when a person moves on a bicycle, he is a full participant in traffic.

1. Cycling on the sidewalk is strictly prohibited if cyclists are over 14 years old.
2. Do not drive while holding onto another vehicle. This can harm both the cyclist and the one who moves nearby.
3. You only need to ride with your hands on the steering wheel and without removing your feet from the pedals. This is necessary so that a person can brake if necessary.
4. It is strictly forbidden to carry passengers on your vehicle unless there is a specially equipped place for this.
5. It is forbidden to tow bicycles or use other vehicles for this.
6. You must also not use a trailer that is not provided for towing.

Not only do car drivers not like cyclists, pedestrians do the same. Indeed, for many such a transportation vehicle causes only trouble. Indeed, not all cyclists are familiar with traffic rules. Therefore, quite often the drivers of this light transport turn around in the wrong place or simply cross the zebra “in full steam”. Some of them sometimes even go to the red light.

In addition, cyclists and ordinary pedestrians interfere. Those are afraid of their chaotic movement. However, it is worth noting that Traffic rules are tightened every year, and fines are increased. And it is absolutely fair. After all, the owner of any vehicle should be responsible for everything that happens on the road. This also applies to cyclists who must control themselves on the road.

Most often, modern cyclists violate these rules:

• drive their vehicle while intoxicated, which is fraught with various consequences;
• talking on the phone on a bicycle, which is strictly prohibited by traffic rules;
• turn the vehicle to the left on tram lines, which is strictly prohibited;
• cross the pedestrian crossing on a bicycle, which is not allowed according to the SDA;
• ignore various prohibition signs, which may ultimately lead to unpleasant consequences.

For any of the above violations, the policeman has the right to fine the violated cyclist. It is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the fines for violations that are described in the article of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

1. Article 12.29 It is a violation of traffic rules by a cyclist who is involved in the movement process itself. The fine is 800 rubles.
2. In the second part of this article It says a fine, which is relevant in the case when a person is intoxicated. The fine can be from 1 to 1.5 thousand rubles.
3. Article 12.30 It is a violation of traffic rules, which subsequently leads to road noise. In this case, a fine of 1 thousand rubles is possible.
4. In the event that the cyclist violated the rules of the road, which subsequently led to a deterioration in human health, he must pay a fine in the amount of 1,5 thousand rubles. In this case, the cyclist was either riding very fast or was intoxicated.

Compared to the fines that are issued to motorists, these fines are very small. Therefore, many people simply ignore the rules, thereby provoking the occurrence of all kinds of situations.

To summarize, we can say that even when riding a bicycle, a person should always be familiar with all existing rules. This will avoid unpleasant situations on the road. In addition, all this knowledge will help to fight back when the cyclist is right and, perhaps, he simply clings to it due to trifles.

All traffic rules for cyclists, see the video below.