I wonder why a local counciller believes that it is ok for him to ride his tricycle on the pavement in Portishead High Street.I think riding bicycles on the pavement is not allowed by law,or is he excempt.

Unfortunately BarryW you are incorrect. It is an offence under the Road Traffic Act to ride Battery Assisted Bicylces or Tricycles on the pavement. Battery powered vehicles such as Disabled carriages are covered under another section of the act.

Your convenience or inconvenience is not an excuse for breaking the law.

Hi Barry,

I'm neutral in this discussion but would read the Highway Code (http://tinyurl.com/2rvaah) as...

Highway Code: General advice
145: You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.

Highway Code: Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters
36: There is one class of manual wheelchair (called a Class 1 invalid carriage) and two classes of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters. Manual wheelchairs and Class 2 vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 4 mph (6 km/h) and are designed to be used on pavements. Class 3 vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 8 mph (12 km/h) and are equipped to be used on the road as well as the pavement.

I would suspect your powered tricycle doesn't fit the "Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters" class due to its top speed - so you can't use that part of the code?

Only a guess?

Cheers,
Jason.

Hi Jason,
Yes my trike is limited to only 8 mph, which is why I consider that I can use that part of the law. The gearing for the pedals is very low and I estimate that just peddling I can get to about 6 pmh. As you say a cyclisy can use the pavement to get to a property, in this case a shop in the High Street. Indeed there are cycle racks behind the pavement in our High Street.
Thanks for your helpful input.

Barry

BarryW,

Statutory Instrument No. 1176 is a good place to start, it defines your vehicle as a Electrically Assisted Bicycle/Tricycle and therefore subject to the relevant section of the RTA for use on roads and bridleways only. Simply by expressing the fact that you ride at about 6mph when pedalling is not a suitable argument, all bicycles are capable of being ridden at 6mph or below. If you have severe mobility issues, to remain within the law I suggest you pruchase a suitably approved mobility scooter. You previously stated that your use both pavement and road, I have seen you personally ride along the pavement from shop to shop, this is clearly not direct access as prescribed in the Road Traffic Act. Be very careful, as a councilor you should be setting the example, not interpreting the law to suit your own ends.

Dear "Yours_truly",
If you are so concerned about this why don't you call the police? Or are you the police?

Whoops, On foot or on wheels

Sorry

BarryW

I wouldn't be too concerned if I were you chap. Judging by some of the posts on this thread it looks like a bit of cheap politically motivated finger wagging. Portishead is full of ignorant liberal / lefty finger waggers who dislike anyone with a few more hard earned ££'s than them.

I would like to VERY much agree with the centiments expressed by LiveInHarmany. If I see the said council endulging in such irresponsible and illegal behaviour, I WILL call the Police.

And given the said cluncillors total disregard for other people's concerns expressed here, I hope his collar is very much felt by the full extent of the law.

Of course it's ok.

It would actually be good if I ran over a few of the little people! Heard thinning at its best!