Question

Is it illegal to ride a cycle on the footpath in India?

Answer 1

Answer:

NOT AT ALL ................................

Answer 2

I can give a specific example. I ride bicycles on weekends down the Western Express Highway and the National Highway No 8, which goes from Mumbai towards Ahmedabad. As many people are aware, just after the NH 8 - Ghodbunder Road traffic signal, there are the twin road bridges crossing the Vasai Creek. For a very long time, these bridges have been operated as alternating one way with traffic being regulated and heavy vehicles being kept off one bridge leading to huge traffic snarls with kilometres long queues of vehicles waiting at the bridge.

The tiny bicycle would slip past the stationary vehicles and I would reach the front of the pack quite easily. Invariably, the policemen on duty there would ask me and the other cyclists with me to continue past into the oncoming traffic, with the advice to ride only on the footpath.

This does not indicate that this is legal. As many people would have noticed, during heavy rush, policemen, again in Mumbai, will invite drivers to cross the stop line and wait further up into the crossing so that the moment the light turns green, they can be off.

My conclusion is that if you ride safely and courteously and do not create situations that put you or others at risk, the police will not stop you.