In terms of urban safety, the coexistence of pedestrians, cars, and cyclists has become a real point of tension. Between bicycles, electric scooters, joggers, and passersby, the pedestrian crossing has been taken over by those seeking to avoid cars, and the situation is generating more and more misunderstandings, conflicts, and even accidents.
Does a cyclist have to get off their bike to cross a pedestrian crossing?
In response to this question, most pedestrians would say yes, the pedestrian crossing, as its name suggests, is exclusive to pedestrians. Unfortunately for them, this is not the case. Indeed, nothing in the Highway Code stipulates that cyclists are prohibited from crossing a pedestrian crossing without getting off their bike. Nevertheless, cyclists are required to cross at a similar speed to pedestrians, while giving them priority. In the event of an accident, a cyclist can be held legally responsible if they fail to respect the pedestrian's right of way.
Despite the absence of an official rule, it remains important to distinguish between a cyclist riding a bicycle and a cyclist who chooses to dismount to cross. Indeed, from the moment a cyclist dismounts their bicycle to cross a pedestrian crossing, they are then considered a pedestrian, which allows them to benefit from the same treatment in terms of priority.
And what about sidewalks?
Generally speaking, cyclists are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. The exception is children under the age of 8. They must ride at a reasonable speed so as not to hinder pedestrians. A cyclist can also use a sidewalk if they decide to dismount their bicycle. In this case, they are required to observe the rules imposed on pedestrians.
When a cycle path is present, it may be mandatory to use it. This obligation may vary depending on the municipality, but, for safety reasons, it is still recommended that all cyclists use the dedicated path. In the absence of a cycle path or lane, bicycles must ride on the right-hand side of the road. They may also ride in meeting areas and pedestrian zones, provided they respect the priority of pedestrians and ride at walking pace.
Coexistence remains difficult
In theory, the rules mentioned above allow for good coexistence between road users in built-up areas. In practice, relations remain tense, as cycling has grown considerably in recent years. The figures speak for themselves: since the pandemic, cycling has increased both in cities and in the countryside, partly because city dwellers wanted to get off public transport to avoid the virus, but also for environmental reasons, with electric bikes becoming increasingly fashionable. Between 2019 and 2023, bicycle traffic increased by 37% nationally. It was urban use that exploded, with a 40% increase in traffic, compared to "only" 26% in rural areas.
Unfortunately, the downside is that the more bicycles there are, the more accidents there are. And the figures are chilling: between 2019 and 2023, the number of cyclists killed on the roads jumped by 38%. In 2022, there were 245 cyclist deaths, compared to 187 in 2019 and 147 in 2010. If we add the 35 deaths on electric scooters, that's a 90% increase in 12 years! The most worrying thing is that cycling is becoming a more dangerous mode of transport than driving or walking, proportionally to the time spent on the road. Cyclists represent 3% of traffic time, but 7% of deaths. Fortunately, it remains less risky than motorized two-wheelers.
So, should we put our bikes away? Not at all! But these figures remind us of the importance of remaining vigilant on the road, whether we're cycling or driving. And above all, they highlight the urgent need to adapt our cities and roads to this new cycling reality. Because if cycling is the future of our travel, it still needs to be safe for everyone!
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