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Cyclist stopped by police on Weymouth prom... at 7.30am (From Dorset Echo)
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Cyclist stopped by police on Weymouth prom... at 7.30am
8:51am Wednesday 19th August 2009 in News By Stephen Bailey
STOPPED: Lucy Horwood who cycles to work on Portland from Preston
A WOMAN cyclist was shocked to be stopped at 7.30am by a police van and warned she could get a £500 fine for riding on Weymouth seafront.
Lucy Horwood, a coach for the British Windsurfing Team, was going to the national sailing academy on Portland.
“There must be better things for police to do,” said the Preston resident.
“The officer said he was supposed to take my name and address and I could face a £500 fine. I was a bit shocked.
“I could understand it if I was weaving in and out of kids. There was hardly anyone there at that time.
“The police were polite. It was only the second time I’d cycled to work. I was trying to ‘do my bit’.”
Lucy, 29, found the incident frustrating because cycle trails and roads can feel dangerous – and later the same day she would have been glad to see police around.
“I was going home on the Rodwell Trail and I had to pass by a group of young lads hanging around,” she said.
“And by Asda there were about eight drunks. I felt vulnerable as a lone woman. The trail can be dark.”
Dorset Police and Weymouth and Portland Council began a crackdown on seafront cycling on August 1.
Inspector Peter Meteau, section commander for Weymouth and Portland, said: “There is a debate every summer about how the laws and bylaws will be enforced.
“It’s very difficult but we need to have a modicum of common sense. First time offenders are getting letters.
“This is about dealing with people who cycle recklessly in a robust manner.
“If a young person is careering along with people jumping for cover they need to be prosecuted.
“We don’t want to resort to legislation. This lady wasn’t fined.
“We will get criticism whatever we do. But I think it’s about trying to make it safe for all concerned.”
Coun Brendan Webster, brief holder for tourism and community facilities, said: “I had a near miss at around 7.30am in December with a cyclist going about 15-20 mph.
“It’s possible to have an accident even in the mornings.”
A Weymouth and Portland Council spokesman said: “It’s not for us to comment on how the police use their resources.”
Comments(56)
Mads
says...
9:23am Wed 19 Aug 09
How convenient!
> Law's a law no matter what time of day or night and if you agree with it or not.
And sometimes the law is an ****.
allesca
says...
9:51am Wed 19 Aug 09
freeopinion
says...
10:09am Wed 19 Aug 09
wykeregislad
says...
10:13am Wed 19 Aug 09
Atomic Punk
says...
10:16am Wed 19 Aug 09
And that is where he failed. Cycling on an empty pavement when the road next to it is full of commuter traffic IS common sense. All you are doing by sending letters and then fining people is forcing the Cyclists into traffic when it's not needed. The blood will on the the Police and Councilors hands when cyclists start getting killed.
Common sense also says that if the esplanade IS busy, then you don't cycle on it.
smokey5756
says...
10:24am Wed 19 Aug 09
F1
says...
10:35am Wed 19 Aug 09
The road is for Taxi's, ambulances, delivery trucks.
Not a short cut for bone ideal lazy motorists who dont give too hoots about breaking the law and out to save seconds in their precious lives.
bungy
says...
10:45am Wed 19 Aug 09
well you do the maths
Guru Ed
says...
11:14am Wed 19 Aug 09
siratb
says...
11:21am Wed 19 Aug 09
David Payne
says...
11:44am Wed 19 Aug 09
kmatt
says...
11:53am Wed 19 Aug 09
Do your bit and stick to the Law...
Stanley Perkins
says...
12:20pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Cycling to work should be applauded not prevented.
I agree it's not practical to cylce down the promenade and beach wall during busy periods, but at 7.30am the only thing she is a going to hit is a tramp or a drunk. (A social problem in the town that you have NEVER dealt with).
Lucy - keep pedalling!
Tremendous Eddie Tremendouson
says...
12:28pm Wed 19 Aug 09
bungy wrote:Don't know what you mean ;-)
2 coppers quiet time of day + 1 atractive young lady breaking a minor lay = well you do the maths
"attractive young lady breaking a minor lay"? :-)
freeopinion
says...
12:37pm Wed 19 Aug 09
F1
says...
12:49pm Wed 19 Aug 09
And what makes matters worse its for that trip that on foot may take 15 minutes, or 5 minutes on a push bike.
The problem wont go away and has to be resolved. Are you saying cars are the best option? As someone quoted 'Cyclist keep fit and ease the burden of the NHS'
Motoroist should be safe, cyclist should be safe, and also pedestrians need to be safe.
More deaths occur on the roads between motorists and push bikes, than push bikes and pedestrian. Work it out your self
Cycling/Keeping fit should be appluaded, not disencourgaed.
itsallaboutthebike
says...
12:57pm Wed 19 Aug 09
I passed this lady this morning while cycling along the bus lane. 5 minutes prior to that I had seen an older gentleman merrily cycling along the preston beach wall. Evidently the police were not in force this morning.
bungy
says...
1:31pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Tremendous Eddie Tremendouson wrote:Sorry tremendous i was posting with a french accent dont you know
bungy wrote: 2 coppers quiet time of day + 1 atractive young lady breaking a minor lay = well you do the mathsDon't know what you mean ;-) "attractive young lady breaking a minor lay"? :-)
siratb
says...
1:38pm Wed 19 Aug 09
freeopinion wrote:I thought you were the chairperson of the "Weymouth Victorian Anti Cyling and having fun Society"...your posts certainly reflect this view. Anyway it is stupid and wasting time, money and resources enforcing a law WHICH IS ABOUT TO BE CHANGED (for the better). You are right about pedestrians though, I think they deserve equal rights, so next time a pedestrian knocks a cyclist off their bike by stepping off the curb into the road or walking into a designated cycle track, or allowing their dogs to hinder and distress cyclists on a designated cycle track or allow their dogs to foul a cycle path, I expect them to be taken to court. Also if the council do not sweep the designated cycle paths, allow loose grit, slippery wet leaves to remain on the path, do not repair pot holes or rough ground, and a cyclist suffers damage, then the council should be sued................
I am sick of reading about how hard done by cyclist are, and the stupid thing is that they are even prepared to put into print that they openly ignore the law because it suits them, It’s not about how serious the crime was or why the Police van was there it’s about enforcing the law however small and for that i applaud the Police. What is wrong with people today if they want to ride bikes fine but obey the laws of the land, you would all be up in arms if i started driving my car on the esplanade and it is no different. The rate you cyclists are going somebody will set up an anti cycling group and you will only have yourselves to blame. Pedestrians have as much right to live in peace and walk the streets without fear of being run down by some selfish idiot on a bike. It would seem that cyclists are on some sort of concerted campaign to bully the council and the general public into giving in to all of their demands, but when you only get a few months in prison for killing somebody why should you care, if you only cripple somebody you would get away with community service and for breaking an arm or a leg a small fine.
if that is how you want to play it. I'm actually for live and let live, but this town is so full of old whingers (Victorian Dad - see Viz) that of course "oooohhh noooo, you couldn't do that, there would be carnage, death, destruction, the end of the world is neigh....."...
Good luck Weymouth with the 2012 Olympics!
knivelhead51
says...
1:43pm Wed 19 Aug 09
smokey5756 wrote:Ha HA have you ever seen a cyclist using a cycle path. On a juorney from Osmington to Tophill Portland this morning at 5.00 yes it's still dark I encountered 15 cyclist's ONLY FOUR had visible lighting on the back and front of their cycles and one of these four had I believe illegal flashing red & blue lights back and front. I know its not the same but it shows how they think thier above the law
The answer of course is designated cycle lanes such as they have on the seafront of St Helier in Jersey. Expensive? No just a painted white line.
F1
says...
2:01pm Wed 19 Aug 09
knivelhead51 wrote:You can use flashing red lights, but you also have to have a light that is fixed on.
smokey5756 wrote: The answer of course is designated cycle lanes such as they have on the seafront of St Helier in Jersey. Expensive? No just a painted white line.Ha HA have you ever seen a cyclist using a cycle path. On a juorney from Osmington to Tophill Portland this morning at 5.00 yes it's still dark I encountered 15 cyclist's ONLY FOUR had visible lighting on the back and front of their cycles and one of these four had I believe illegal flashing red & blue lights back and front. I know its not the same but it shows how they think thier above the law
This should be clamped on, as this is for EVERYONES safety.
But if we want to pick on every cyclists fault (I have mine, but at the same time I do respect pedestrians, use lights and keep full attention on whats going on around me), then how many car drivers each day keep using their mobiles, how many cars have ilegal number plates, how many cars speed each day (even just a mile over the limit, which is breaking the law!).
How many do not indicate? How many go down a road they shouldn't do (St Thomas St).
How many go along with music so loud, distrubting the peace, but more importantly their concentration.
The Old Rec
says...
2:29pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Sideshow Bob
says...
2:35pm Wed 19 Aug 09
The police were right to stop her and give her a telling off for riding in a 'no riding' area, but at 7:30 in the morning? Come off it...........
Were the police just sat there waiting for easy prey to come past? If they were then they should get a b**ll*cking too for wasteing time.
Don't get me wrong, I think cyclists should be allowed to ride on the prom, but not at the moment as it's illegal.
Also, mabye the idiots who step out in front of you when you are cycling on a legal cycle path and then shout at you for nearly running them over, should be given warnings/fines as well. Or we could just fit bull bars to our bikes...............
..........
Douglas Mc
says...
2:44pm Wed 19 Aug 09
In any case many cyclists abuse our footpaths. A footpath is precisely that and cycling on footpaths is illegal. Cycling on roads, and bridal ways only and public land where cycling has been permitted by the relevant authority.
Mr Toad
says...
2:44pm Wed 19 Aug 09
.
“It’s very difficult but we need to have a modicum of common sense. First time offenders are getting letters.
“This is about dealing with people who cycle recklessly in a robust manner.
“If a young person is careering along with people jumping for cover they need to be prosecuted. “
.
Well said. Perhaps the police could organise a compulsory course in common sense for Councillors ... and UselessOpinion should also attend to demonstrate his grasp of unreality.
.
====================
==
.
Coun Brendan Webster, brief holder for tourism and community facilities, said:
.
“I had a near miss at around 7.30am in December with a cyclist going about 15-20 mph."
.
I’m sure that Coun Webster is an honourable man, not given to exaggeration, and not (my first reaction) a purveyor of Porky Pies. (Coun James eats them of course, but that’s another story).
.
However, a comparison: Coun Webster’s ‘One morning in December’ versus my almost daily experience.
.
Fresh in my memory is this morning, whilst on my 7-mile commute; where I experienced the following “near misses”.
.
One was a delivery vehicle whose driver decided to get to the Swannery roundabout before me, and then turn left when he was barely past me (I was set to go straight on, had positioned myself accordingly, and was travelling at about 15mph). As it was he had to stop to give way to a vehicle already on the roundabout. I got his details, and his employer will be receiving an e-mail later today.
.
Then, whilst cycling on the OUTSIDE of a queue of stationary vehicles – but in my lane - a motorist decided that he would change lanes without looking. To be fair, he did look see me and stop when - having been forced to the centre of the road - I was alongside his driver’s door.
.
Please bear in mind that I’m an experienced cyclist (almost 40 years) and accept most incidents as one of the risks of not being an intolerant lard-arse.
.
It’s just part of my daily routine, but it shouldn’t be considered an acceptable risk; particularly for those who the Council is allegedly attempting to entice out of their cars.
.
btw Knivel:
On 23rd October 2005, it became legal to have a flashing light on a pedal cycle, and that no other light would be needed in that position.
Cllr Brendan Webster
says...
3:32pm Wed 19 Aug 09
It does strike me that Lucy would have had to cycle home again later in the day, perhaps by the same route, or given that there would be more pedestrians about, she might have used the highway.
There are some riders and times that I hope would be treated rather more robustly when caught.
My near miss was in December 2004. I came down the steps near the pebbles cafe between the chalets and a speeding bike travelling from the town toward Preston missed me very narrowly. He had a dim light on, but was travelling very close to the chalets. If you know the area you will know that both the cyclist and I would have had poor lines of sight (there is a row of pillars that obscure the exit from the gardens) At 7:30am in December the sun has not yet risen but the sky is beginning to lighten.
As a pedestrian, I was not expecting a high speed encounter (bikes go a lot faster than pedestrians) on a pedestrian only walkway.
Having said that I have been bumped into by a slow cyclist at 9:00am in St Mary Street - no damage done. My 18 month old grandson had a close encounter on the seafront about 50 or 60 metres beyond the end Brunswick Terrace cul-de-sac when on a sunny afternoon in October, a cyclist was weaving his way between people doing about 7 mph (a slow running speed) when my grandson stepped one step into his path. The cyclist could not swerve but did brake stopping barely a few inches from the boy. My wife was so flustered that she apologised to the cyclist before he rode off. A slight variation in the timing of the boy's movement could have resulted in injury.
The law will, we think, be changed to allow cycling between the sluice gardens and the Oasis Cafe, but not between the sluice gardens and the pavilion.
The width and use of the prom by the chalets is not compatible with cycling, in my opinion. Most of the time, especially in good weather the seafront in or near the town centre is used by many people, very young to very old, who hope to enjoy a non threatening relaxed experience. I would like to keep it that way.
Cllr Brendan Webster
says...
3:36pm Wed 19 Aug 09
It does strike me that Lucy would have had to cycle home again later in the day, perhaps by the same route, or given that there would be more pedestrians about, she might have used the highway.
There are times and riders when I would hope the police would treat more robustly. I have (over a year ago) indicated the approach I favoured. Letting reasonably well behaved offenders know is OK. Punishing dangerous or persistent instances is OK too.
My near miss was in December 2004. I came down the steps near the pebbles cafe between the chalets and a speeding bike travelling from the town toward Preston missed me very narrowly. He had a dim light on, but was travelling very close to the chalets. If you know the area you will know that both the cyclist and I would have had poor lines of sight (there is a row of pillars that obscure the exit from the gardens) At 7:30am in December the sun has not yet risen but the sky is beginning to lighten.
As a pedestrian, I was not expecting a high speed encounter (bikes go a lot faster than pedestrians) on a pedestrian only walkway.
Having said that I have been bumped into by a slow cyclist at 9:00am in St Mary Street - no damage done. My 18 month old grandson had a close encounter on the seafront about 50 or 60 metres beyond the end Brunswick Terrace cul-de-sac when on a sunny afternoon in October, a cyclist was weaving his way between people doing about 6 or 7 mph (a slow running speed) when my grandson stepped one step into his path. The cyclist could not swerve but did brake stopping barely a few inches from the boy. My wife was so flustered that she apologised to the cyclist before he rode off. A slight variation in the timing of the boy's movement could have resulted in injury.
The law will, we think, be changed to allow cycling between the sluice gardens and the Oasis Cafe, but not between the sluice gardens and the pavilion.
The width and use of the prom by the chalets is not compatible with cycling, in my opinion. Most of the time, especially in good weather the seafront in or near the town centre is used by many people very young to very old, who hope to enjoy a non threatening relaxed experience. I would like to keep it that way.
GMax
says...
4:05pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Douglas Mc wrote:Douglas Mc wrote:
The Police were on duty and had to deal with what was happening where they were detailed to be. The Law is the Law and we should not pick and choose which laws we will obey and which to ignore. In any case many cyclists abuse our footpaths. A footpath is precisely that and cycling on footpaths is illegal. Cycling on roads, and bridal ways only and public land where cycling has been permitted by the relevant authority.
The Law is the Law and we should not pick and choose which laws we will obey and which to ignore.
================
Indeed I agree, however, the same goes for all those motorists that still use their mobile while driving.
They know full well it's illigal and can cost then (what is it now) 6 points on their licence and (what) £60 fine.
Many of them still do it anyway so they also pick and choose which laws to obey and which to ignore.
--------------------
-----------
I fully agree with Mr Toad, I used to work in Moreton and often I cycled all the way back to Weymouth which was around 13 mile.
Quite often I was forced of the road by motorists totally ignoring me.
At one time a motirist passed me at great speed and was so close that his wing mirror slammed on my hand,
he knocked me of my bike and was driving so fast that I didn't get a chance to see his number plate, he was (according to my own judgment)
driving at a speed of atleast 80+mph on a road that had a limit of 50mph
And then some idiots are trying to say we cyclists are ignorant!!!!
GET REAL, IT'S THE CYCLISTS THAT ARE IGNORED.
All we ask for is a safe place to cycle, nothing more nothing less.
GMax
PortlandWilliam
says...
4:06pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Genghis
says...
4:45pm Wed 19 Aug 09
"All we ask for is a safe place to cycle, nothing more nothing less.
GMax."
I'll totally support you in that GMax. The only thing is in every debate on this subject that is all the cyclists want to do. A safe place for pedestrians don't enter into a cyclists vocabulary or even their thoughts. So I'll support you in your search for a safe place for cyclists but my goal will also include a safe place for pedestrians.
Cllr Brendan Webster
says...
6:41pm Wed 19 Aug 09
PortlandWilliam wrote:Hi PortlandWilliam,
Cllr Webster, what will you do to support and promote cycling in W & P as part of the integrated transport plan? Perhaps a little bit of roadspace will have to be sacrificed by the motor car to ensure a "non threatening relaxed experience" for both the pedestrian and the cyclist.
Yes, I would like to see safer cycling. I do own a bike but I don't use it these days as I am not a great rider especially on busy roads. Locally, I have managed Weymouth to Abbotsbury Swannery a couple of times in recent years, but then when I tried cycling up King Street to turn right for the Jubilee trading estate I was abused by a motorist just for being a cyclist.
I do want to get my bike back on the road and will support more and better cycle routes. I am certainly not anti bike.
siratb
says...
6:54pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Genghis wrote:Ho ho, you make me laugh!
I've lost the will to live. I couldn't care less where the machine worshippers drive their cars or ride their bikes any more. I'll just sue them for every penny they got if one ever rides over me again. "All we ask for is a safe place to cycle, nothing more nothing less. GMax." I'll totally support you in that GMax. The only thing is in every debate on this subject that is all the cyclists want to do. A safe place for pedestrians don't enter into a cyclists vocabulary or even their thoughts. So I'll support you in your search for a safe place for cyclists but my goal will also include a safe place for pedestrians.
"The only thing is in every debate on this subject that is all the cyclists want to do"....
awwww come on! I thought it was all about the pedestrians "keeping" the prom to themselves as they don't want to share with the cyclists!
Actually on yesterdays bike ride (about 35km on the roads as there were no suitable bike paths) we were over taken on a hump back bridge by an elderly "non aware" couple who nearly squashed my friend, and I had an Audi turn right across in front of me on Dorchester Road as I can pedaling down at about 20 MPH. Luckily I have disc brakes and have been cycling long enough to expect anything. And for the Councillor's benefit - I was wearing Lycra. Sorry.
Perhaps I should have sued someone?
Raymond Moobs
says...
8:25pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Mr Toad
says...
9:32pm Wed 19 Aug 09
You could do worse than to contact the West Dorset Section of the Cyclists' Touring Club.
http://www.westdorse
tctc.org.uk/
A range of rides... very easy upwards, and you'll not be left behind.
Lots of of country lanes, learn more about Dorset.
Some lycra.. but not a lot!
Guru Ed
says...
10:00pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Cllr Brendan Webster
says...
10:42pm Wed 19 Aug 09
Regards Lycra, I am sure it is fine, it simply seems to adopt a unwanted shape on me.
siratb, I am sure lycra is the Bs and Es for 35km bike rides on the open road. You of course know that the comment about lycra is just a way of saying that fast cycling in mixed use pathways is a problem when there are pedestrians about - even if you give them a metre berth, they could just choose the wrong moment to manoeuvre without the benefit of looking behind first.
siratb
says...
12:14am Thu 20 Aug 09
Cllr Brendan Webster wrote:Cllr-
Thank you Mr Toad. I'll give the idea some thought. Regards Lycra, I am sure it is fine, it simply seems to adopt a unwanted shape on me. siratb, I am sure lycra is the Bs and Es for 35km bike rides on the open road. You of course know that the comment about lycra is just a way of saying that fast cycling in mixed use pathways is a problem when there are pedestrians about - even if you give them a metre berth, they could just choose the wrong moment to manoeuvre without the benefit of looking behind first.
What everyone is complaining about I think (apart from the Campaign Against Cycling) - and I agree - are people who ride "furiously" and with disregard to other pavement users. What you will find is that most of your "Lycra wearing" and probably in fact also this "commuter" girl in question, probably do their best not to antagonise pedestrians. I agree that many of them (pedestrians that is) don't look back, walk in the middle of the path with extendable dog leads and generally walk with disregard to other road users. Most "Lycra wearing" and "commuter" cyclists take this into account when passing them though (as we have enough experience of this). Those cyclists that don't are are those that ride irresponsibly wherever they are....and those should be the sorts that are stopped, not the commuters trying to get to work at 07:30. If this philosophy was employed throughout W&P (as it is in say Norway) then Cyclists and Pedestrians could live together in harmony - though this may take some reeducation on the part of some pedestrians and some cyclists I agree.
Genghis
says...
5:42am Thu 20 Aug 09
siratb wrote:And yet again you miss the point entirely. I'm all for making things safer for cyclists but pedestrian safety has to be on the same agenda. You just harp on and on about cyclists' safety but when you finally get your own way what will be put in place to ensure pedestrians will have their safety taken into account? It isn't much to ask that pedestrians should have the same rights as cyclists is it?
Genghis wrote: I've lost the will to live. I couldn't care less where the machine worshippers drive their cars or ride their bikes any more. I'll just sue them for every penny they got if one ever rides over me again. "All we ask for is a safe place to cycle, nothing more nothing less. GMax." I'll totally support you in that GMax. The only thing is in every debate on this subject that is all the cyclists want to do. A safe place for pedestrians don't enter into a cyclists vocabulary or even their thoughts. So I'll support you in your search for a safe place for cyclists but my goal will also include a safe place for pedestrians.Ho ho, you make me laugh! "The only thing is in every debate on this subject that is all the cyclists want to do".... awwww come on! I thought it was all about the pedestrians "keeping" the prom to themselves as they don't want to share with the cyclists! Actually on yesterdays bike ride (about 35km on the roads as there were no suitable bike paths) we were over taken on a hump back bridge by an elderly "non aware" couple who nearly squashed my friend, and I had an Audi turn right across in front of me on Dorchester Road as I can pedaling down at about 20 MPH. Luckily I have disc brakes and have been cycling long enough to expect anything. And for the Councillor's benefit - I was wearing Lycra. Sorry. Perhaps I should have sued someone?
Genghis
says...
6:14am Thu 20 Aug 09
Raymond Moobs wrote:Don't be silly. It's a concerted campaign to pick on law abiding cyclists...........e
So let's get this straight, she got told off for doing something wrong, no one is wasting their time sending her a warning letter or taking her to court, they are just giving her some words of advice .... that seems to be appropriate. As for the police waiting there for her, I think you will find that they were there clearing the shelters and toilets of all the drunks and druggies. I work near the pier and they are there most mornings patrolling the sea front.
ven if their version of abiding by the law means breaking those laws they feel don't apply to them. It's called responsible cycling.
freeopinion
says...
7:28am Thu 20 Aug 09
freeopinion
says...
7:30am Thu 20 Aug 09
siratb wrote:Your last comment says it all, total ignorance/a lack of tolerance/arrogance and above all stupidity all that wrapped up in lycra what a package.
Cllr Brendan Webster wrote: Thank you Mr Toad. I'll give the idea some thought. Regards Lycra, I am sure it is fine, it simply seems to adopt a unwanted shape on me. siratb, I am sure lycra is the Bs and Es for 35km bike rides on the open road. You of course know that the comment about lycra is just a way of saying that fast cycling in mixed use pathways is a problem when there are pedestrians about - even if you give them a metre berth, they could just choose the wrong moment to manoeuvre without the benefit of looking behind first.Cllr- What everyone is complaining about I think (apart from the Campaign Against Cycling) - and I agree - are people who ride "furiously" and with disregard to other pavement users. What you will find is that most of your "Lycra wearing" and probably in fact also this "commuter" girl in question, probably do their best not to antagonise pedestrians. I agree that many of them (pedestrians that is) don't look back, walk in the middle of the path with extendable dog leads and generally walk with disregard to other road users. Most "Lycra wearing" and "commuter" cyclists take this into account when passing them though (as we have enough experience of this). Those cyclists that don't are are those that ride irresponsibly wherever they are....and those should be the sorts that are stopped, not the commuters trying to get to work at 07:30. If this philosophy was employed throughout W&P (as it is in say Norway) then Cyclists and Pedestrians could live together in harmony - though this may take some reeducation on the part of some pedestrians and some cyclists I agree.
F1
says...
8:12am Thu 20 Aug 09
Like the one who crossed the road on the Esplanade yesterday evening and because he was stuck in the middle of the road gave me the 'wan**r sign. The fact there was a pedestrian crossing 20 metres away did not come into it.
He obviously was not interested in his own safety, but saving 10 seconds and 20 metres of his own life.
See it does work both ways. You have irresposible car drivers, cyclists as well as pedestrians.
homeboy01
says...
9:08am Thu 20 Aug 09
wykeregislad wrote:If you say anything to them about it it's a case of opperational need, thats there way of saying we can do what we want and you can't stop us 'cos we are the police.
She may have been riding on the pavement but before you all go off on one at the weekend i witnessed a police officer on a one of there specially designed police mountain bikes on patrol riding along the seafront a little further up from this incident by the clock so come on dorset police practice what you preach or stop wasting tax payers money and you are a big waste may i add and start doing real work
Any respect for them has gone out of the window.
dunketh
says...
9:20am Thu 20 Aug 09
' bus/taxi lane across the seafront or am I wrong?
I often cycle to work and have no problems with other motorists and they have no problems with me.
I fail to see what the big deal is - I'm sure the majority of us get on just fine.
siratb
says...
9:20am Thu 20 Aug 09
freeopinion wrote:Yea well whatever. Having travelled the world extensively I have seen how Cyclists and Pedestrians can share the same space. But of course it would never work in W&P due to the negative "Can't do..." attitude of some of the residents.
siratb wrote:Your last comment says it all, total ignorance/a lack of tolerance/arrogance and above all stupidity all that wrapped up in lycra what a package.Cllr Brendan Webster wrote: Thank you Mr Toad. I'll give the idea some thought. Regards Lycra, I am sure it is fine, it simply seems to adopt a unwanted shape on me. siratb, I am sure lycra is the Bs and Es for 35km bike rides on the open road. You of course know that the comment about lycra is just a way of saying that fast cycling in mixed use pathways is a problem when there are pedestrians about - even if you give them a metre berth, they could just choose the wrong moment to manoeuvre without the benefit of looking behind first.Cllr- What everyone is complaining about I think (apart from the Campaign Against Cycling) - and I agree - are people who ride "furiously" and with disregard to other pavement users. What you will find is that most of your "Lycra wearing" and probably in fact also this "commuter" girl in question, probably do their best not to antagonise pedestrians. I agree that many of them (pedestrians that is) don't look back, walk in the middle of the path with extendable dog leads and generally walk with disregard to other road users. Most "Lycra wearing" and "commuter" cyclists take this into account when passing them though (as we have enough experience of this). Those cyclists that don't are are those that ride irresponsibly wherever they are....and those should be the sorts that are stopped, not the commuters trying to get to work at 07:30. If this philosophy was employed throughout W&P (as it is in say Norway) then Cyclists and Pedestrians could live together in harmony - though this may take some reeducation on the part of some pedestrians and some cyclists I agree.
Easy way to offer pedestrians and cyclists protection - paint a white line down the middle of the prom. Ban cyclists from one side, and BAN PEDESTRIANS from the other....easy.
homeboy01
says...
9:21am Thu 20 Aug 09
You can use flashing red lights, but F1, Weymouthyou also have to have a light that is fixed on.
This should be clamped on, as this is for EVERYONES safety.
Well tell that to the policewoman riding down the carnival with a red light fixed to her high viz jacket and that was the only light on the back of her police cycle.
Atomic Punk
says...
10:22am Thu 20 Aug 09
Atomic Punk
says...
10:22am Thu 20 Aug 09
freeopinion
says...
11:19am Thu 20 Aug 09
s get along fine but they have respect for other people which is something sadly missing in this country today we operate under the F**k you jack im all right system. Another point to remember is the fact that a large and growing proportion of our residents are elderly who tend to be a little deaf and maybe wobble a bit when walking so when using a combined pathway great care needs to be taken. All problems can be solved to everybody’s advantage if people sit down and talk.
miff
says...
1:39pm Thu 20 Aug 09
siratb
says...
1:41pm Thu 20 Aug 09
I'd ride on any bike path which is going where I am going and is not in a dangerous condition - Just seems so eminently sensible to section off some of the prom for Wheels - it is in a good state of repair, goes directly into town, is wide enough and visibility is not hindered by trees or hedges (around the back of the Sealife Centre for example)....why is everything so difficult in this town?
Flotsam
says...
4:16pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Thomas Hardy (a keen cyclist by the way) worked in Weymouth for a few years, but was too embarrassed to admit it. In his books he calls the place Budmouth Regis.
Footnote:
Paleontologists believe that Weymouth, on Dorset's 'jurassic coast' has the world's largest concentration of dinosaurs.
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/uk
/article6721039.ece
http://www.nature/ju
rassiccoast/weymouth
/livingfossils/blink
ers.edu
Flotsam
says...
4:18pm Thu 20 Aug 09
Thomas Hardy (a keen cyclist by the way) worked in Weymouth for a few years, but was too embarrassed to admit it. In his books he calls the place Budmouth Regis.
Footnote:
Paleontologists believe that Weymouth, on Dorset's 'jurassic coast' has the world's largest concentration of dinosaurs.
http://www.timesonli
ne.co.uk/tol/news/uk
/article6721039.ece
.
and.
http://www.nature/ju
rassiccoast/weymouth
/livingfossils/blink
ers.edu
praha
says...
6:09pm Thu 20 Aug 09
praha
says...
12:59pm Sat 22 Aug 09
Bilious says...
9:14am Wed 19 Aug 09