Is it illegal to cycle on pavements?

If you are a cyclist you need to know essential bicycle laws in the U.K. Equally, if you use roads as a pedestrian or a driver, it is also important to be aware of these. Then you will be aware of what cyclists around you should and shouldn't be doing.

Rules 59-72 of the Highway Code cover UK bicycle rules. This is not all law though as some information is advice. The easy way to tell which is law and which is advice is as follows:

• the words ‘must' or ‘must not' means it is a legal rule
• the words ‘should/should not' and ‘do/do not' means it is advice which it is wise to follow.

However, you should note that even though some of it is advice, failure to comply with it can be used against you. For example, as evidence in court procedures. 

Here are a selection of  the legal rules and advice the Highway Code contains for cyclists:

• cyclists must not ride when they have been drinking or taking any type of drugs
• a bicycle must have a two-braking system
• you must have your white font and red rear lights on at night
•  you must have a red rear reflector if cycling at night
• as a cyclist, you should use cycle routes and other facilities if your skills and experience require you to
• you must keep to the cycle side of the cycle tracks giving pedestrian their side of space
• you should slow down as needed and be careful when sharing cycling space with pedestrians horse riders and other horse-driven vehicles and let them know you are passing

In addition to legal rules about what you must and must not do when cycling, there is also road cycling etiquette. This means there is a  polite way of using the road, like showing good manners from cyclist to cyclist.. For example, the advice in the Highway Code, rather than the legal rules/law you could consider as road cycling etiquette. You could also call cycling etiquette, road cyclists' unwritten rules 

For example, cyclists can use their common sense and judge the road circumstances to decide if they should ride in the middle of the lane. This means taking the same position a vehicle takes in the lane. This may be the only safe place where there are cars parked in the road. However, if there is space to, cyclists may move to the left of the lane to make it easy for vehicles to pass. A cyclist may choose to do this when they are aware that cycling in the middle of the lane holds up traffic. 

Another example of road cycling etiquette is the use of hands and fingers to let other cyclist users know what you're doing. These are in addition to HIghway Code hand signals. For example, cyclists may do the following:

• point a finger down at the road to show other cyclists that there is a pothole to be careful of
• pat the air with a horizontally held hand to let cyclists know they will be slowing down

It's easy to make a cycling accident claim with us at National Accident Helpline. We understand that being a victim of a road traffic accident can mean life may be pretty tough since your bicycle accident. That's why we make a cycling accident claim simple.  

When you speak to us you will be greeted by our friendly and knowledgeable telephone advisers. They have helped over 2 million people over the past 30 years, so know exactly what they are doing. Tell them what happened in terms of your cycling accident and they will pass your claim to our expert solicitors to process with you. 

At National Accident Helpline, we can help you with your accident claim. Call us today on or if it is easier you can request a call back here. You can even make your claim online. 

^{Last updated 06.03.24}