You can claim if the cyclist who hit you was at fault. The Highway Code says cyclists must not ride on the pavement and should give way to pedestrians on shared-use cycle tracks. The big practical difference from a car accident is insurance: compulsory insurance applies to motor vehicles, so a pedal cyclist may have no insurer behind them, and the Motor Insurers' Bureau scheme is for victims of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers. Your claim is usually against the cyclist directly or any liability cover they hold. You normally have three years to start court proceedings.
Collisions between cyclists and pedestrians happen on pavements, shared paths, crossings and at the kerbside. The Highway Code notes that pedestrians are among those most likely to be injured in a collision, with children, older adults and disabled people more at risk. The legal question is the same as for any road user: did the cyclist fail to take reasonable care? What differs is who pays. This guide covers the rules cyclists must follow around pedestrians, the insurance question, the evidence to gather and how a claim is made. We are an independent information service, not a law firm.
The rules cyclists must follow around pedestrians
The Highway Code's hierarchy of road users (Rule H1) places the greatest responsibility on those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm, and says cyclists, horse riders and drivers of horse drawn vehicles likewise have a responsibility to reduce danger to pedestrians. Relevant rules include:
| Where it happened | What the rule says | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Pavement | You must not cycle on a pavement (the law cited is section 72 of the Highway Act 1835 and section 129 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984) | 64 |
| Shared-use cycle track | Cyclists should give way to pedestrians on shared use cycle tracks | H2 |
| Shared route beside a footpath | Take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room | 62 |
| Zebra crossing | Cyclists must give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing | H2 |
| Traffic lights | Cyclists must not cross the stop line when the traffic lights are red | 71 |
Riding a cycle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users, is also an offence under section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, so report a collision to the police if you were hurt.
Pedestrians have responsibilities too. Rule H1 says none of this detracts from the responsibility of all road users, including pedestrians, to have regard for their own and other road users' safety, and Rule 13 asks pedestrians on routes shared with cyclists not to obstruct or endanger them. If you were partly at fault, the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945 means your claim is not defeated, but your damages are reduced to the extent the court thinks just and equitable.
Insurance: who actually pays?
This is the biggest practical difference from a collision with a car. Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires insurance for anyone who uses a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, and the Act defines a motor vehicle as a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads. An ordinary bicycle is pedal powered, and even a legal electric bike, an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC), is treated as not being a motor vehicle. GOV.UK confirms that an EAPC does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.
So your claim is usually against the cyclist personally. Some riders do hold cover: nidirect, for example, advises e-bike owners and riders in Northern Ireland to consider insurance covering personal injury and liability. Ask the cyclist whether any policy covers the claim. If the cyclist was riding for work, a solicitor will also look at whether anyone else is responsible.
The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) compensates people injured because of an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. If the "bicycle" was really an e-bike that does not meet the EAPC rules, GOV.UK says it is classed as a motorcycle or moped and must be insured, which may allow a claim through the MIB if it was not. Our e-bike accident guide explains this.
What to do after being hit by a cyclist
- Get medical help and keep a record of every appointment and prescription.
- Get the cyclist's name and address, and details of any insurance they hold. Photograph the bike if you can.
- Take witness details: names, phone numbers and what they saw.
- Ask for CCTV quickly from shops, buses or doorbell cameras nearby, before it is overwritten.
- Report it to the police, especially if the cyclist rode off or refused to give details.
- Photograph the scene: the pavement or path, any shared-use signs, the crossing or lights, and your injuries.
- Keep evidence of losses: lost earnings, travel costs, care from family and damaged belongings.
How the claim is made
In England and Wales, the Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims starts with a letter of claim. If there is no reply from the defendant or an insurer within 21 days, you are entitled to issue court proceedings; where an insurer is involved, it has a maximum of three months from acknowledging the letter of claim to investigate.
A collision with a pedal cyclist is not a "road traffic accident" for the court's small claims rules, because those rules define that term by reference to the use of a motor vehicle. The general personal injury threshold therefore applies: the small claims track is the normal track where the claim is worth no more than £10,000 and the injury part is worth no more than £1,500. Our small claims guide explains what that means for costs and representation.
If the cyclist has no insurance and no money, a court judgment may be hard to enforce, so ask a solicitor to check this before costs build up.
Time limits
In England and Wales you normally have three years from the date of the accident, or from your date of knowledge if later. If the injured person was under 18, the three years usually run from their 18th birthday, and a litigation friend conducts any court case for a child. Scotland and Northern Ireland also apply three-year periods, with their own rules for children and for late claims.
Time limit checker
Indicative only. It applies the basic three-year statutory periods and cannot account for every exception, such as a later date of knowledge or a court's discretion. It is not legal advice: take advice well before any deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if a cyclist hit me on the pavement?
Yes, if the cyclist was at fault. Rule 64 of the Highway Code says you must not cycle on a pavement, citing section 72 of the Highway Act 1835. The court will also consider whether you took reasonable care for your own safety.
Do cyclists need insurance in the UK?
No. Compulsory insurance under section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 applies to motor vehicles, and a pedal cycle is not one. GOV.UK says a legal electric bike (EAPC) also does not need to be insured. An e-bike that does not meet the EAPC rules is classed as a motorcycle or moped and must be insured.
What if the cyclist who hit me has no insurance?
You can still claim against the cyclist personally. Ask whether they hold any cover that includes liability to others. The Motor Insurers' Bureau scheme is for uninsured and hit-and-run drivers, so it is unlikely to help unless the machine was a motor vehicle, such as an e-bike that does not meet the EAPC rules.
Can I still claim if I stepped into the cyclist's path?
Possibly. Under the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945, being partly at fault does not defeat the claim, but your damages are reduced to the extent the court thinks just and equitable. The Highway Code expects all road users, including pedestrians, to take care.
Is a claim against a cyclist a small claim?
Only if it is small. Because a pedal cycle is not a motor vehicle, the general rule applies: the small claims track is the normal track where the injury part of the claim is worth £1,500 or less and the whole claim £10,000 or less.
How long do I have to claim after being hit by a cyclist?
In England and Wales, normally three years from the accident. If the injured person was a child, the three years usually start on their 18th birthday. Scotland and Northern Ireland also have three-year periods with their own rules for children.
Get help from official, free sources
- Police: report the collision, especially if the cyclist rode off
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA): check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society: Find a Solicitor: personal injury specialists
- Citizens Advice: free, impartial guidance on your rights
Related guides: pedestrian accident claims, e-bike accident claims, cycling accident claims, contributory negligence, small claims and claiming for a child.
Official sources used for this guide: The Highway Code: introduction (Rules H1 to H3); The Highway Code: rules for cyclists; Road Traffic Act 1988, s.143; GOV.UK: electric bike rules; CPR Part 26; Pre-Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims. This guide is general information about the law in the UK, not legal advice; the law can change, so check your own position with a regulated solicitor.