Reece12

Hi,

I am 12 years old and am not sure about cycling on the road. I thought that I could still ride on the sidewalk but a policeman pulled over and told me to get off the sidewalk and on the road and act like a regular motorist instead of a child.

I told my parents about this and they were not very happy about it - especially since my dad is a policeman.

Anyway, I am just wondering - would you rather have your son or daughter riding on the sidewalk or the road ?
Was I being disrespectful by cycling on the sidewalk ? I was very careful and would stop and pull off to the side if anybody was walking by me or towards me.
What do you think about kids cycling on the road ?

Reece

Gus Riley

I would not want my 12 year olds riding on the street. I think a talk with the police dept would be warranted in this case.

Hmmm, I don't intend to stereotype here but this is pretty darn good grammar and writing ability for a 12 year old.

ledhead69

Howdy

I usually ride on a sidewalk, as motorists are rather mean in Orlando (I can't compare, but I have stories I can tell!) I will ride on the street if there is more than enough room for me and a car to pass without going over the centerline.

As for the grammar, right on Gus, I am in 10th grade and still am having trouble with spelling. Oh well....you don't need to know how to spell or write to ride a bike, I suppose...

chewa

Depends on the road, but if I had a child, would want the to be aware of the dangers everywhere.

Sidewalk (pavement to us Brits) is best at your age I think.

nathank

hmm... this is a tough call as i think it depends on the local conditions and what the street is like and how fast the cars drive, etc.

on the one hand: i think somewhere around age 12 (i don't have kids and it's takes a while to think back that far since i'm 31), you are 'adult' enough to learn the right way to cycle and should be able to properly learn to safely ride in the street...

on the other hand: there are some streets where the cars are really fast and the drivers very unfriendly - i.e. if it's a multi-lane 40mph+ zone i'd vote for the sidewalk... if it's a basic residential street where kids are already playing soccer and rollerblading in the street anyway, then i think the street is more appropriate.

i'd say you're definitely on the right track asking some more experienced adults (the forum and your dad) what's the safe and best action...

just an aside: as far as riding on the sidewalk goes, it's safe to an extent, but the faster and more often and longer distance you ride, the greater the chances for problems with pedestrians or cars pulling onto or off the street... if you're just riding down the street to a friend's house the sidewalk's probably not bad... but if you're riding 2 miles every day to school and back the street's got some advantages.

again, it all depends on the specific situation and almost nothing is every black and white... but i commend you for not only trying to do the safe as well as legal thing and learn about cycling, but also doing so in such an intelligent and mature way!

John E

My sons are 17 and [almost] 13. They routinely ride on residential streets with 25mph/40kph speed limits. When they need to travel on faster streets, I encourage them to select routes with wide shoulders or bike lanes. In either fast or heavy traffic, I encourage them to make two-part far-side turns, although both are learning how (and when) to make vehicular far-side turns.

Buy or borrow a good bicycling book, such as Franklin (U.K.), Forester, or Allen. Better yet, take an "Effective Cycling" course if one is offered in your area. Students under 16 usually need parental permission or accompaniment, but it might not hurt Mom or Dad to take a refresher course, anyway.

ledhead69

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but also, when riding on the street, you are expected to follow all traffic signs and signals, right?

Chris L

In most states of Australia, the law prohibits cycling on the footpath by people over 12 years of age. Personally, I think the standard of cycling education provided for children is absolutely dismal. The truth of the matter is, if you know how to behave safely in traffic, the road is much safer in virtually all situations. However, most education does not teach this, and instead preaches "get out of everybody else's way".

I think you should start the transition gradually by using quiet back streets and gradually working your way up. I honestly believe that once you get used to it, you will find the road much safer. Remeber that only about 3% of cycling/car accidents are caused by the cyclist being hit from behind. The happen in situations where their paths cross directly. Note here that the footpath/sidewalk has a greater amount of the latter because of driveways, parking lots etc.

wabbit

Around where I live I see a lot of kids out riding their bikes on the sidewalks, who are way too old to be dong so. I think after the age of 9 or ten a kid can certainly ride on the road, if it's not a busy street with lots of traffic. I frequently have near misses with 12 year old kids zooming along the sidewalk, completely oblivious to pedestrians. And often, I see parents out with their kids, all on bikes, letting the kids go on the sidewalk while WE are supposed to let them by. I'm sorry, but that's dangerous. I really think parents are copping out by not teaching their kids to ride bikes safely on the road, to obey the rules and respect both drivers AND pedestrians.

LittleBigMan

Reece,

Take Effective Cycling courses. They will teach you how to ride on the road and give you confidence.

The sidewalk is not a safe place to ride.

:thumbup:

cycletourist

I'm with Gus in questioning the validity of Reece12. Few 12-year-olds write that clearly and even fewer would bother to investigate this subject (that requires using a search engine to find this place).

Chris L

I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. He may be a troll, but he's a bit more convincing than most trolls I've seen. It is possible for a 12 year old to have good grammar, even if it's not massively common.

ledhead69

does it really matter if he is faking being 12 year old? Maybe he's just one of those Geniuses (don't know how to spell that word either) who is just a natural at english and knows 7 different languages...

Reece12

I told my dad what you guys wrote about my writing.
He said that I should just be happy that you think my writing is that good and not worry about anything else.

I am here to talk about my riding my bike and not my writing but since you guys started it, I read ALOT. I have been reading since I was 4 years old and I write alot of stories. Writing and reading for me are easy. Math is very difficult for me and I got held back a grade because of it. All my friends got to move to the next grade and I am in the same grade as my younger brother. I hate it and I feel stupid.

Are you happy now ???

I am sorry that I even came here. I thought this was just to talk about riding bikes. I did not insult any of you people who talked nasty about me or said I was not who I say I am. I am 12 and I don't care if you believe it or not !!

Reece

Chris L

Reece, we've had a lot of teenagers and so on come on to the boards and do nothing but swear, that is why some of us found it difficult to believe you were actually 12. Either way, it doesn't really matter, you started a good discussion and I hope you stick around.

Joe Gardner

I would say your writing is better then mine, and im twice as old as you! I hope you stick around the forums, I'm sure you will find alot of useful information here.

I agree with others, you do belong on the road, it is safer. Stay away from the sidewalks, drivers do not expect you to be there. Also, check with your local city, or ask your dad about a bicycle safety / effective cycling course. I have tought kids 5 - 15 on riding a bike with traffic, on the road, and basic bicycle safety. My city offers the course for free, and thoes who complete it recive a free helmet. You also get free food, well worth one day of your life.

What ever you do, keep on riding, you cant give it up at such a young age!

ledhead69

look what you've done, guys! You've scared him away! sheesh...people...

Anyway, stick around, kid, I need another dude around here thats my age.

And did Joe Say free food? I'm in! woo! yeah!

Gus Riley

Reece, really, I'm sorry my compliment insulted you. I think your writing ability is outstanding, really. Please stick around and continue to be part of our forum here.

Harry

Why are people getting touchy about this chap's posting? Whether he's 12 or 52 or whatever it makes no difference. His points are valid.

Some teenagers are not rude, don't swear and can actually read and write.

So of us seem to be more expert at riding on our high horses than our bicycles.

Stick aroud Reece, you're always welcome.

Happy April 1.

Reece12

That's what I don't understand - just because I don't swear and am not rude, people think that there is no way that I could be a kid.

This forum is supposed to be to talk about bikes not English skills.
Just because my grammar might be better than some adults, they think that I am some troll.

Anyway, thanks for your note

Reece

Reece12

Gus - it was not your compliment that made me angry. It was the two people afterwards who I think did not understand that it was a compliment.

Then they started to make comments and asking if I was a troll because my English was too good for a 12 year old.

Thank you for what you said. I was really happy and told my parents about it.

Reece

Reece12

Gus was not questioning me being 12. Maybe you should read his first note to me and then the one he just wrote. And you are wrong about 12 year olds writing this clearly. I have entered lots of kids writing competitions and you would be pretty amazed at how good the writing is. That is because we put alot of work into our writing and we enjoy it. Most people do really well if they really love doing something.

As for finding this forum and using a search engine - what's hard about that?? You go to Google, you type in Bike Forum and you get a bunch of listings. It isn't exactly rocket science !!!!!!!


Reece

LittleBigMan

Reece,

You have to learn to understand the adult mind.

We have become defensive about other adults deceiving us. But in the long run, you'll find we are really ok!

:thumbup:

Reece12

Littlebigman,

Thanks for your note.
Trying to understand adults is not easy ! They are complicated. Girls are even more difficult to understand !!!!!!! Does that ever get easier ?
From what my dad said, no.

Anyway, I think I will stick around. I think I could learn alot here about cycling and that is what I came for. I just have to learn to not react so strong to stuff sometimes but when you get blamed for something that you didn't do, it is hard.

talk to you later,

Reece

LittleBigMan

Don't ask me!

I'm still trying to figure them out!

:confused:

Take it easy!