Cycling on pavements in Bristol
WE have seen an increase in people complaining of cyclists on pavements. There has been a marked increase in Fishponds and not just one cyclist but of three in a party.
There appears to be a blatant disregard to pedestrians and observations around the city it seems there are many more people assuming it is ok to use the pavements.
-
On Fishponds Road is a sign warning that it is illegal to cycle on pavements and offenders are liable to a fine of £30. In London fines are increasing as that city tries to bring this activity under control.
Bristol City Council has been labelled a CYCLING CITY. Therefore the council must take the lead and take charge of this matter and make using the pavements safe for pedestrians.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
South Gloucestershire Council is looking into making pavements safe for visually impaired people and the pavement signs use. They, too, should look at cyclists using the pavements.
When you consider how dangerous many cyclists use the pavements, pedestrian crossings and going through red lights it is just a matter of time before serious if not fatal pavement accidents will occur. Bristol City Council has ramped pavements for cyclists, e.g. outside NatWest in Fishponds. These have given licence to cyclists to cycle full tilt across pavements onto main roads. One of our advisers was very nearly hit by such an action by a cyclist.
We are the people's advice centre helping give direction in any area of advice and information, therefore we wish to raise this issue through your paper that for their own safety and that of pavement users, cyclists please do not use the pavement and have regard to the pedestrians because it could be you who kills an elderly, deaf, visually impaired person. And your life would change forever.
If anyone knows of young people cycling on pavements, please talk to them and get them to improve their actions for the sake of others.
Remember it is illegal to cycle on pavements under Section72 of the Highway Act 1835 amended by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888. Punishable by fixed penalty notice of £30 under section 51 and Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire should include these penalties in their road users campaigns for the sake of the general non cycling public who are getting increasingly more angry at the abuse they are receiving.
Children under 16 would not be prosecuted.
Reports in 1998 clearly identified it is more dangerous to cycle on pavements whereas the study by Bicycling Life 1985-89 resulted in their claim that it is twice as dangerous to cycle on the pavement than on the road.
To conclude. Cyclists whenever possible DO NOT USE THE PAVEMENTS. Use the cycle paths or the cycle ways on the roads in Bristol. These are there for your safety.
Thank you and we hope our letter helps to avoid any accident and harm to innocent pedestrians.
Martyn Hancock
Adviser
East Bristol Advice & Information Centres
Comments
by A_Mushroom
Thursday, September 13 2012, 1:55PM
“You know, I read what happened at Hillsborough 23 years ago and realise that the debate around cycling on pavements whipped up by The Post is just about as interesting and important as whether anything is left floating after I flush the toilet.”
by gentlegreen
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 7:26AM
“While I strongly disapprove of cycling on pavements and thoughtless use of a legitimate cycle facility (the ramped kerbs and shared pavement at New Station road), Martyn Hancock is wrong (in a lot of cases) when he says :-
". Use the cycle paths or the cycle ways on the roads in Bristol. These are there for your safety".
The short-term car park (bus lane) on Fishponds road is a case in point.
So much of a problem is it to safely get from Oldbury Court Road to New Station Road (and vice versa), it forms my very first blog entry :-
http://tinyurl.com/cxokph7
This features several videos of me negotiating this stretch over the past few years.”
by gentlegreen
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 1:38AM
“That cyclist's saddle is insanely low - I'm not surprised he doesn't want to ride on the road -he would need to stand up to do more than a few painful MPH.”
by solunga
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 2:05PM
“@sally_jones12
'Right-On' merchants?? what??”
by NormalCyclist
Thursday, May 03 2012, 6:54PM
“Even though that cyclist is wearing Hi-Vis clothing (his trainers) that pedestrian seems oblivious to his presence.
My cycling friends always suggest a good shout, followed by by bad language to highlight your presence to pedestrians, this informs them they shouldn't be on the pavement blocking your way.”
by NormalCyclist
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 1:17PM
“TROLL ALERT: mark1864”
by mark1864
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 12:56PM
“Sally_Jones12
Anger management issues. Get some help”
by LittleCryBaby
Monday, April 30 2012, 12:31PM
“"By Baron Münchhausen, aka simon/george, etc, etc, etc - Change the record, get a life in that order...Take that chip off your shoulder while you're at it"
Open your curtains, turn your computer off, stop destroying every thread you post on, realise that this website does'nt constitute a social life, change your clothes, open the front door, admit your hypocrisy, get help, stop cycling on the pavement, stop at red lights, cycle to work or use public transport, stay away from HorseWorld, and see a shrink.
Any order you like, Baron Münchhausen.”
by NormalCyclist
Sunday, April 29 2012, 10:26PM
“I think we should report that women to Bristol Traffic Blog.... she needs to be ridiculed for the offense she is clearly committing.
The offense of thinking she is more important than a cyclist.”
by simon12345678
Sunday, April 29 2012, 8:58PM
“Sally_Jones, then "Troll beater", YET ANOTHER user name of George's tedious, obsessive stalker.. No-one is reading your posts.
Change the record, get a life in that order...Take that chip off your shoulder while you're at it”