Bike riding? need help with british law?

Ok firstly.
I don't have a license to ride on the road so I use the pavement and slow down when pedestrians walk by. Is that Ok or isit "illegal"?
Also, I don't want to wear a helmet as im only riding not trying anything difficult or crossing roads at highspeed. Do i have to wear a helmet?
Im only 13 so I could not have passed my road bicycle tests.
and dont talk to me either about how im being green or how im clogging up the roads, because im only having a fun bike ride. Ok.
Ill add any details as i go along just incase i want to know anything else so... thanks for looking!

i meant my proficentcy test or whatever
yh it is a serious question, so... yh.
im not gunna wear a helemt and i am going to ride on the pavement because im 13!!!!^^^^

Bikes are not really supposed to ride on sidewalks. That's why sidewalks are called sidewalks. On some roads there may be a place which has a line specifically for bikers so the cars can avoid driving in the bike lane. You may see bike lanes on roads near beaches.
As far as not wearing a helmet... I can say that I have seen a patient who was brought into the E.R. He was riding a bike and got struck by a car not wearing a helmet. He didn't appear to have any injuries (the paramedics stripped him of his clothing to check for trauma because he was unconscious) and the identifyable injury was that of his head. Sorry to be gross but before he died, I went over near his head and saw brain matter that was just below his head while he was on the bed and backboard. He was only riding his bike not a motorcycle and yet apparently he was either riding on the road or crossing the street and got hit by a car. If he had been wearing a helmet he would have been able to live on and enjoy his life and family. No medical history and he didn't have alchohol on his breath. It only takes one person to drive and hit someone (maybe on purpose like road rage) and get the person seriously injured or give them lifethreatening injuries. Don't know if you know this or not but when babies are new, everyone has to protect the baby's head because of the fontanels or soft spots which are actually places where the skull hasn't closed. Also the baby's head is the heaviest part of the body. Don't know if you are going to heaven but if you say you are 13 and want to have fun, you won't be having fun if you see the look on your parents face when they have learned you have been seriously injured in the head. Lots of people don't ride with a helmet but in other places there is a law for it. I know that Disney specifically has a law saying that kids have to wear helmets when riding a bike. Also a helmet saved my daughter from a head injury when she was skating and fell backwards hitting her head. I was right there and it happened so fast, I didn't have time to stop her from falling but her head bounced off the ground and it's a good thing she was wearing a helmet.

it illegal but ok to ride a bike on the pavement, anyway i think most cops are happy to see kids on the pavement instead of being pulled out from under a van on the road. i ride a push bike on the pavement. i used to ride a pushbike on the road years ago untill i got caught by a flat bed lorry, he ran right over the top of me leaving a garage and caught me on the kerb. after that i switched to super sports motorbikes, a hell of a lot safer on the road. your obviously a considerate youngster way better than the inner city gobshites who ride quads and mini motos on the pavement. but make sure you wear a helmet at all times. a helmet has saved my life 3 times.

1st you do not need a licence to ride a pedal bike in UK.
You need a licence at age 16 to ride a motor bike on a public road.
You are being irresponsible riding your bike ( pedal) on the pavement and silly not to wear a hard hat.
If you are talking about a motor bike you are totally illegal and you AND your parents could be taken to court.
Read the Highway code(UK) pages 26 - 30 for pedal cycles and the rest of it for motor bikes.

You do not need any license to ride a bicycle on the road. It is advisory that you take your cycling profiency test so you can ride on the road now but be careful. It is illegal to ride on the path where you are likely to endanger pedestrians but most police understand younsters riding on paths and accept that in many circumstances but often not in towns.

Sorry?

right.....

You don't need a license to ride a bike anywhere!

Bikes are not MEANT to use Pedestrian Footpaths, but aslong as you don't go crashing into people on the path you wont get done, just give the right of way to people walking or running or whatever...

It is illegal to not wear a helmet,

Tell me, WTF are Road Bicycle tests??!

Although, I have never heard of anyone being arrested or stopped by police for "Bike Related Crime"

is this a serious question btw or are you takin the piss?

It's illegal to cycle on pavements, you don't need a license to cycle or drive anything which is pedal powered on roads. Just make sure you follow the basic driving laws (stopping at red lights for instance)
It's safest to use a helmet, but there are no laws which force you too (laws which are enforced anyway).

The Highway Code (and hence the Road Traffic Act) applies to cyclists too. Which is why you can be fined for flashing a speed camera!

"Do i have to wear a helmet?" No. But remember the pavement is harder than your head.

Cadge a copy of The Highway Code from your mum or dad and read the section on cycling which should tell you what you need to know :-)

NO!!! - riding on the pavement is illegal and if caught, you are liable to a 拢50.00 fine.

Riding a cycle on the road is perfectly legal WITHOUT a licence, cyclists do NOT need a licence to do so.

Therefore, since you ARE mixing with other traffic on the road, in your own interest and safety you SHOULD wear a helmet.

Although many people dont know it it is actually illegal to cycle on the road without a helmet. Many people ride on the road without a helmet though (me included). You definately dont need any type of license to ride a bike. Good luck! Ride safely!

The last time i checked you were allowed to ride on pavements if:
A) You were an asthmatic or had a condition that could cause danger to road users if you suffered
B) You were under 16

And It wasn't against the law to not wear a helmet, it was just recommended!

BUT This was quite a while ago! It might be worth popping to your local police station and asking them! I'm sure they will be happy to help :-D

It is illegal to ride on pavements/walkways in the uk. You really should be wearing a helmet though, and it is illegal not to in any public place.

Make sure you have got a bell!As you are required by law to have one!And make sure you have got front and rear lights as well as efficient brakes!

You don't need a licence to ride a bike!!! but you should always where a helmet