... parents would do something to make sure that their little darlings behaved themselves when they are out on their bikes.
As I said above, it's cyclists of all ages who use the pedestrian-only footpath. In fact, when they are going to and from school in their uniforms, the kids generally use the cycle track. At other times, the youngsters tend to be the ones who are prepared to go 'off-road' and go round you on the grass verge. The nearer to retiring age, the more likely the cyclist is to head straight for you.