Stop riding bikes on pavement says Cheltenham pensioner
More should be done to stop cyclists riding on pavements and pedestrianised areas in Cheltenham.
That's the view of pensioner Marina Coles who says she's been nearly mown down twice by inconsiderate bikers on the footpath.
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The 74-year-old is so fed up she is writing to Gloucestershire's police chief Dr Tim Brain to ask his force to do more.
Mrs Coles, of Devon Avenue, said: "Twice recently I've nearly been knocked over by people riding on the pavement outside my house. I have a dog and sometimes his lead stretches across the path, and if a cyclist comes along they say 'get that dog out of the way'.
"I see police cars driving past people riding on the pavement all the time and they don't do anything about it at all.
"I'm going to write to Dr Brain and ask him to make sure more is done about it, because it's not allowed and it's dangerous."
Cycling on the pavement is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act and could result in a £30 fixed penalty notice from police.
In extreme cases cyclists can be charged with dangerous and careless driving. The maximum fines are £2,500 for dangerous cycling and £1,000 for careless cycling.
In November 2007 a man was killed in Cornwall when a cyclist struck him at 25mph. Culprit Peter Messen was given 300 hours' community service and a 12-month suspended sentence.
Inspector Jon Roberts from the Cheltenham Town Centre Safer Community Team said, "The designated no-cycling zones in the town are there for a very good reason, and we would urge cyclists to adhere to them.
"While we have had no reports of incidents of people injured by cyclists in the area so far this year, incidents do happen and can have very serious consequences.
"Our PCSOs on patrol ask those seen cycling through these zones to get off their bikes."
John Mallows from Cycle Cheltenham, which campaigns on behalf of bike riders, said: "Cyclists shouldn't ride on the pavement. We have always advocated making the roads better for cyclists so they feel confident riding on the road.
"We would say if there is going to be a crackdown on people riding on the pavements, it should be widened to include the bad driving, such as passing too close, parking in cycle lanes and driving into stop lane boxes at lights, which encourages cyclists on to the pav- ements."
Opinion, p8
104 Comments
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by Dave, UK
Wednesday, August 05 2009, 10:53PM
“Joe K, if you need to ask that, you clearly shouldn't be on the road as you have no knowledge of the Highway Code. It's people like YOU that make cyclists cycle on the pavement (although personally I do not cycle on the pavement myself).”
by Sophie, cheltenham
Thursday, July 16 2009, 10:28AM
“we are singling out the cyclist s because this is an article about cyclists and last time I checked its not the fire starting youths pushing us off the pavement each morning and evening; interesting as that would be.”
by natalie, cheltenahm
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 6:21PM
“for thoese of you talking about kids and dogs most cyclists have thoes too and are still human yes you may get the odd idiot on a bike but then you get the odd youth causing a fight in the street and the odd car that causes an accident so why single out the cyclists!”
by natalie williamson, cheltenham
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 6:13PM
“my husband is on of the peopl e that you photoed for this article whithout his premission which i am furious about making him look like hes in the wrong. he doesnt cycle in a meaningless mannor and he alweays rides not driv es to save the world i worry about him al the time he cycles as cycling is more dangerous being on the road than the drivers if you want rules for cyclist then bring more out for cars my husband pays normal councile tax and working tax so why shouldnt he be able to use the pavements mayy be cheltenham council need to do more about cycle routes to make it safer.”
by Sophie, Cheltenham
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 6:11PM
“silly me; I forgot that cyclists rule the path ways and that dogs and children should not be able to play when bikes are around! my dog is perfectly well behave however the speed of the bikes through coxs meadow create a blink and you will miss them situation. Also last time I checked dogs and kids don't have the same reasoning as adults who should have the common sense to slow down! or shall we live in your world where all dogs are on a lead 24/7 and where cyclists do as they please. Next thing you will suggest we put our children on long leads too!”