1.35. Is it allowed for cyclists to ride on the sidewalk?
UAЧи дозволено велосипедистам рухатись по тротуару?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safety of interaction between cyclists and pedestrians in a high-risk area. Sidewalks and pedestrian paths are designed for calm and predictable movement of people, so the presence of vehicles that can approach quickly and maneuver significantly increases the likelihood of collisions and injuries. For this reason, the traffic rules clearly separate spaces for pedestrians and for vehicles.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the movement of cyclists and their prohibitions, specifically clause 6.6 (subclause "v"), as well as definitions from clause 1.10 (what a sidewalk is and who is considered a pedestrian). It is important to understand the logic: riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is generally not allowed, as the sidewalk is by definition intended for pedestrians. There is only one exception in the rules for young children: children under 7 years old are allowed to ride children's bicycles on the sidewalk or pedestrian path, but only under adult supervision, so that the adult can control the speed and the situation around them.
During the theoretical exam, people often confuse "riding" and "walking" a bicycle: the option that claims full permission to ride is incorrect due to the direct prohibition in the Traffic Rules; the option about a complete ban is also inaccurate, as it does not take into account the established exception for children under 7 years old. In practice, this knowledge helps you act correctly: if an adult cyclist needs to use the sidewalk, they should get off the bicycle and walk it alongside, as in this case the person is equated to a pedestrian and should not create obstacles for others.
Clause 6.6 (subclause "v")
Cyclists are prohibited from: ... v) riding on sidewalks and pedestrian paths (except for children under 7 years old on children's bicycles under adult supervision).
This clause directly establishes a general prohibition on cyclists riding on sidewalks, with an exception only for children under 7 years old on children's bicycles under adult supervision.
Clause 1.10 (term "Sidewalk")
Sidewalk — a part of the road intended for pedestrian movement, which adjoins the carriageway or is separated from it by a lawn.
This definition explains that the sidewalk is functionally intended specifically for pedestrian movement, not for the movement of vehicles (including bicycles), unless otherwise expressly permitted by the Traffic Rules.
Clause 1.10 (term "Pedestrian")
Pedestrian — a person participating in road traffic outside of vehicles and not performing any work on the road. Persons moving in wheelchairs without an engine, leading a bicycle, moped, motorcycle, pulling a sled, cart, baby carriage, or other objects are equated to pedestrians.
This is important for clarification: riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is prohibited (except for the exception in clause 6.6 "v"), but leading a bicycle on the sidewalk means being a pedestrian.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited, except for children under 7 years old on children's bicycles under adult supervision," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, cyclists are expressly prohibited from riding on sidewalks by clause 6.6 (c), sidewalks are intended for pedestrian movement (clause 1.10), and the only exception is for children under 7 years old on children's bicycles under adult supervision.
The sidewalk is defined in the Traffic Rules as a road element intended specifically for pedestrian movement. That is, its main function is the safe movement of people alongside the roadway, where they are not disturbed by vehicles.
A bicycle is a vehicle and can move quite quickly. That is why clause 6.6 (c) establishes a prohibition on cyclists riding on sidewalks and pedestrian paths: there are many unpredictable situations on the sidewalk—a pedestrian may stop abruptly, turn, come out of an entrance, or from behind a parked car. In such a place, a cyclist creates an increased risk of collision and injury to pedestrians.
To avoid confusion, it is important to distinguish: if you are riding a bicycle, you are a cyclist, and the sidewalk is generally prohibited for you. But if you get off the bicycle and walk it alongside you, you essentially become a pedestrian and may be on the sidewalk, as long as you do not obstruct others.
There is one clear exception explicitly provided by the Traffic Rules: children under 7 years old are allowed to ride on the sidewalk or pedestrian path on children's bicycles, but only under adult supervision. The logic is simple: a small child is not yet ready to safely interact with traffic on the roadway, so they are allowed to ride where there are no cars, but an adult must supervise the situation.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited, except for children under 7 years old on children's bicycles under adult supervision," since the sidewalk is intended for pedestrians, and the Traffic Rules (clause 6.6 (c)) prohibit cyclists from riding on sidewalks, leaving an exception only for small children under adult supervision.