Cycling on UK pavements is against the law for adults, with Highway Code Rule 64 making it a criminal offence to ride on any footpath or causeway designated for pedestrians. Police can issue fixed penalty notices of £30 to £50, while careless or dangerous cycling that causes injury can lead to court charges, heavy fines or criminal charges.
Exceptions to the pavement cycling ban
Adults are required to ride their bicycles on the road at all times, but there are several exceptions. Cyclists may use pavements that have been formally designated as shared-use cycle tracks, which are marked with official blue and white signs displaying a bicycle and a pedestrian.
Children under the age of 10 are typically permitted to cycle on the pavement under adult supervision, while any child aged over 10 is required to ride on the road. A further exception applies when a cyclist deems the road too hazardous to ride on; in this case, the cyclist must get off the bike and push it on the pavement.
Other cycling laws and penalties
Cyclists on the road must adhere to all traffic light signals and road signs. It is against the law to carry a passenger on a bicycle unless it has been specifically modified to accommodate two riders. Cycling while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is also illegal, with a potential fine of up to £1,000.
What is not illegal when cycling
There is no legal obligation to wear a helmet or hi-vis clothing while cycling, although both are strongly advised for safety. It is perfectly legal to ride alongside another cyclist on the road, but riders should move into single file on narrower stretches. Cyclists are also under no legal obligation to use cycle lanes, and it is entirely the rider's decision whether to use the road or the cycle lane.
