Cyclists and pedestrians come together in many places. To limit disputes and accidents, everyone must respect the Highway Code. So who has priority?
Traffic in the city is a complex ballet where pedestrians, cyclists and motorists of all kinds meet. Obviously, cohabitation proves delicate and can sometimes cause friction, even accidents. Also, for everything to go well and for everyone’s safety, it is necessary to scrupulously respect the Highway Code.
There are many types of spaces that we share, whether sidewalks, bike paths, meeting areas, etc. But, when a pedestrian crosses a cyclist, which of the two has priority? The answer is not always obvious, which sometimes leads to altercations. Let’s try to clarify this a little.
First of all, you need to know what exactly is meant by the term “pedestrian”. According to French legislation, it designates any person traveling on foot, but also certain less obvious users. Individuals in wheelchairs, non-electric scooters or even skateboards are also considered pedestrians. The same applies to those who push a bicycle or a motorized vehicle (electric bicycle, moped, electric scooter) held in their hand while walking. On the other hand, once in the saddle, cyclists are governed by different rules.
To fully understand who has priority between the two, you need to delve into the rules that govern each of the different areas of possible encounter. Let’s start with open spaces, such as “meeting zones”, where pedestrians, cyclists and motorists are brought to coexist in a particular setting. In these areas, the Highway Code establishes that pedestrians have priority over all other users, even cyclists. The speed is limited to 20 km/h to guarantee everyone’s safety, and pedestrians can move freely across the entire width of the road.
As for “pedestrian areas”, they are primarily designed, as their name suggests, for pedestrians, but they also allow certain other modes of travel, including bicycles, under certain conditions. Here, cyclists must proceed at walking pace and systematically give way to pedestrians. These are areas where sharing space is essential, and where vigilance is essential.
Finally, “greenways” constitute mixed spaces, often located in a natural environment, and intended for pedestrians as well as cyclists, as well as horse riders and roller skaters. But do some have priority over others? Strangely, it seems not. The Highway Code does not in fact define any priority rules concerning these zones.
There remain sidewalks and cycle paths. The preserve of pedestrians for the former and cyclists for the latter, they are nevertheless regularly occupied by one or the other. For the sidewalk, the rule is clear: this space belongs to pedestrians. The Highway Code strictly prohibits cyclists from riding on sidewalks, except for children under the age of eight, who benefit from an exception. An adult cyclist who uses a sidewalk is liable to a fine, and must get off their bike to cross a pedestrian crossing, unless a cycle facility is specifically provided for.
As for cycle paths, they give priority to cyclists, because this type of lane is dedicated to them. However, it happens that some pedestrians find themselves on a cycle path, since the law provides that pedestrians can walk on a cycle path “when it is not possible for them to use the spaces reserved for them or in the absence thereof”. In this case, caution is required for cyclists, although they are not obliged to give way.