Prosecution threat to seafront cyclist aged five

11:30am Tuesday 15th May 2012 in Local News By Catherine Bolado

Five-year-old Harry Besant with mum Clair Five-year-old Harry Besant with mum Clair

A WEYMOUTH mum was shocked to be told her five-year-old son would have to get off his bike or face possible prosecution for cycling on Weymouth promenade.

Little Harry Besant, from Weymouth, had just got his freedom this year after getting out of stabilisers, when he was among cyclists targeted by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council beach patrol officers.

Mum Clair said her son loves cycling and rides to school and at weekends while she walks by his side.

Mrs Besant was shocked when she was told that Harry must stop cycling or face prosecution on Saturday lunchtime.

She said the pair were on their way down the promenade to Nothe Fort, by the Jubilee Clock and saw a Beach Patrol Officer ask an adult cyclist in front of them to stop and dismount.

Mrs Besant said: “The man headed towards us and said: ‘He needs to get off his bike.’ “I was in a bit of shock. I said: ‘He is only five.’ His reply was: ‘It doesn’t matter. If he continues he will be prosecuted like anyone else.’ I was just like: ‘I can’t believe it.’ I was so cross.”

Mrs Besant admitted she may have been in the wrong but told her son to carry on cycling.

She added that Harry had been ‘quite upset’ by the incident and did not want to cycle for the ‘rest of the day’.

The pair walked back along the promenade at 7pm when it was quiet but Harry still didn’t want to ride his bike as he didn’t want to get into trouble.

Mrs Besant said she understood that the beach patrol officer had just been doing his job.

She is calling for facilities to be put in place so that everyone can enjoy the seafront.

Mrs Besant added: “I just feel it’s unfair.

“Don’t get me wrong, there are irresponsible cyclists as well as responsible ones, but I think it’s unfair that there is a land train, which has a motorised engine that can go on the promenade but a child can’t ride a bike.”

Mrs Besant said there was a cycle track away from town along Preston Beach Road on the Promenade but that there wasn’t provision for people going into town. She said: “There’s a massive Olympic campaign to get people walking and cycling. I don’t think we are catering to people on bikes or children to be able to get into town on bike.”

She added: “I really feel it’s an unfair bylaw.”

'We do not want to upset children'

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council spokesman for Leisure and Tourism, Andy Blackwood, said that the council did not want to upset anyone but that they had a responsibility to administer the bylaws governing the promenade for everyone’s safety.

He said: “The Esplanade is enjoyed by thousands of people every year including pedestrians and those using the land train.

“We do our best, working in partnership with Dorset Police, to make the Esplanade a safe and pleasant place for all to enjoy.

“We certainly do not want to upset children or their parents whilst carrying out our duties and, if this has happened in this particular case, we would like to apologise.”

He added: “However, we have a statutory responsibility to administer the by-laws governing cycling along the Esplanade.

“Whilst we have no formal record of this event, we would like to point out that our beach patrol officers face many situations where they may exercise discretion, and whilst it is possible one of them may have been over zealous, generally they do try very hard to do their job in a responsible and proportionate way for the safety of all who use the Esplanade.”

Comments(83)

maximan says...
11:37am Tue 15 May 12

one thing remains constant in the town....there are an awful lot of knobs

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smokey5756 says...
11:57am Tue 15 May 12

The mother makes a very good point. If a land train is allowed on the promenade why not bicycles. May I suggest that Weymouth follow St Helier's lead and paint a cycle way on the promenade.

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Artstudent says...
12:07pm Tue 15 May 12

How would the police prosecute the lad? Fixed penalty notices can only be issued to over 16s.

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X Old Bill says...
12:18pm Tue 15 May 12

How is it that people who do not even understand the age of criminal responsibility are allowed to enforce the Law?

He is under 10 years old - English Law states that he cannot be held legally responsible. (doli incapax).

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InterestedOutsider says...
12:40pm Tue 15 May 12

We visit Weymouth frequently, and had the same experience in April, when we were told that our 6 year old daughter & 4 year old son shouldn't be on their bikes (the 4 year old was only riding a balance bike!) - this was on a cold, cloudy day with very few other pedestrians, and in by the redeveloped Greenhill Hotel where the path is particularly wide. There's a balance between "doing your job" and "common sense"...

Also, shouldn't we be encouraging our children to be healthy and get exercise - or maybe the Council would prefer them to grow up overweight and use mobility scooters, which seem to be allowed on the Esplanade without question?

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hoopeybird says...
12:41pm Tue 15 May 12

Poor little chap.i hope he isnt too scared to ride his bike anymore. I completely agree to keeping the
esplanade safe,but common sense hasnt been used here.What a jobsworth! Is this what we are to look forward to from now on?nasty little men having a go at our children. What a sad little man he must be

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Monmouthsman says...
12:45pm Tue 15 May 12

And there seems to be no interest by the police in enforcing the no cycling on pavements law throughout the borough.
This is just plain bad policing of a bad set of rules whilst we go on with the ridiculous situation of having no safe cycleway between Lodmoor and the Pavilion.

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Rockgod says...
12:46pm Tue 15 May 12

Bless him, he's got his helmet on the wrong way round.
They certainly don't employ these beach control officers for their brains do they?

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Polyvista says...
1:01pm Tue 15 May 12

Absolutely spot on! The Bye-Law prohibits cycling on the Prom right up to Greenhill. A warning was the right action, and this would have been to the PARENTS. I am a cyclist and I get off and push in this area, but other cyclists ignore the Law and wizz past me at dangerous speeds. Target these for prosecution!

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spudst says...
1:04pm Tue 15 May 12

Nothing this council does surprises me.Ive heard they,re bringing back hanging for mobility scooter users.

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WeymouthMAN11 says...
1:12pm Tue 15 May 12

I can not believe it is such a slow news day that the Echo has put this on the front page! It makes me so angry, you can not ride a push bike on the promenade 5 years old or 75 years old no bikes. Bless little Harry I’m sure he is a great kid but not when he runs into the back of your leg whilst he is riding his bike! Maybe the prom was not full of people on the day but the rules are No Bikes. As for introducing a cycle path who is going to police that 1? People walking in the cycle path, will there be a crossing patrol so they can get from 1 side to the other? Before everyone gets upset at my post I do ride a push bike and I’d love to ride along the prom but I don’t I’ve seen the trouble that it causes, as for cycle paths full of pedestrians try riding your bike by swannery bridge and the underpass. PROMENADE:" A leisurely walk, especially one taken in a public place as a social activity"

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biggestoaf says...
1:17pm Tue 15 May 12

Now put yourslf in the position of the beach patrol officer. You've just stopped an adult cyclist and asked them to dismount from their bike. You're then faced with a child on a bike accompanied by their parent. In order to be consistent do you ask the parent not to allow their child to cyle, or do you allow the child to carry on and try and explain your lack of consistency to the adult cyclist who has just been told they can't cycle? Seems to me you're in a situation where someone is going to be upset and annoyed.

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bootedsw says...
1:17pm Tue 15 May 12

Another non story. Anyone who gets told off in this town goes straight to the paper.

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ZacJones says...
1:24pm Tue 15 May 12

If you go to Germany and dare walk in a Cycle Path you will get shouted at by everyone. Cyclist & Pedestrians and anyone else that is passing! They always keep them clear and they are used for the purpose, riding your bike. We have got it all wrong in this country. There should be a cycle route along the esplanade, but the problem is no-one will take any notice of it. But surely it is time to give a cycle lane a try, PERHAPS MAYBE in 3 or 4 years time it might start to work.

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MRCHAOS says...
1:29pm Tue 15 May 12

The Council should be encouraging everyone to cycle everywhere. As a regular cyclist I find it very frustrating cycling anywhere near the seafront or town! most of the cycle paths come to a sudden end! "Come on kids lets cycle on the main road!!".
I'd love everyone to cycle (responsibly) on the seafront. Especially during "The Games"!! I'm sue LOCOG will sort something out for all the cyclists.

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IDONTKNOWIFITISTRRUE says...
1:55pm Tue 15 May 12

MRCHAOS says 'I'm sure LOCOG will sort something out for all the cyclists."
Only if the cyclists pay an exorbitant fee (:o))

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maximan says...
2:03pm Tue 15 May 12

biggestoaf wrote:
Now put yourslf in the position of the beach patrol officer. You've just stopped an adult cyclist and asked them to dismount from their bike. You're then faced with a child on a bike accompanied by their parent. In order to be consistent do you ask the parent not to allow their child to cyle, or do you allow the child to carry on and try and explain your lack of consistency to the adult cyclist who has just been told they can't cycle? Seems to me you're in a situation where someone is going to be upset and annoyed.
...but 5? c'mon..theres a point where common sense applies. I would not want to see a child of 5 cycling on the road and consider it acceptable for a kid of that age to be cycling on the pavement and therefore the esplanade. If you cannot work this judgement out you should take a deep hard look at yourself

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ZacJones says...
2:13pm Tue 15 May 12

Well they have! But you ain't going to like it, they have 4 Bicycle Parks located at Pier Bandstand, the Swannery, Westam Bridge and somewhere near the steps of the Nothe Gardens. Not sure if they are going to be free or you will have to pay though? I would imagine if they are pay then they will be empty! Perhaps the Echo might investigate that one for us.

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Ken Reed says...
2:19pm Tue 15 May 12

For those bloggers who might otherwise get carried away these are the facts. Safety considerations are not part of the argument. After a major consultation and evaluation exercise WPBC agreed to change the byelaws to allow cycling on the promenade at less busy times. This was approved by full Council in 2006. It could not be implemented because of the administrative costs involved. This cost arose because of new legislation implemented by the labour government in 2007 requiring standard byelaws for beaches and promenades. WPBC was therefore forced for economic reasons to reverse its decision.

It would be cheap and easy to implement the standard byelaws introduced in 2007 but by doing this WPBC lose control over the beach and in particular unauthorised trading. Naturally they do not want to do this. We understand that it cost Bournemouth a huge amount of money to implement their successful promenade cycle scheme so that they could retain control. WPBC just cannot afford to do this.

It is absurd that a change supported by the public, the Council and the interested groups which would lead to considerable improvements cannot be implemented.

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siratb says...
2:24pm Tue 15 May 12

This is why Weymouth is a Victorian seaside town...it still lives in Victorian times.
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Visit Brighton, etc, plus all the beach cities in California and you will see cyclists and pedestrians can easily coexist.
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A waste of time and money trying to enforce stupid bylaws like this.As for Beach Patrol "orrificer"...ha, that is a joke!

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ZacJones says...
2:34pm Tue 15 May 12

Ken Reed wrote:
For those bloggers who might otherwise get carried away these are the facts. Safety considerations are not part of the argument. After a major consultation and evaluation exercise WPBC agreed to change the byelaws to allow cycling on the promenade at less busy times. This was approved by full Council in 2006. It could not be implemented because of the administrative costs involved. This cost arose because of new legislation implemented by the labour government in 2007 requiring standard byelaws for beaches and promenades. WPBC was therefore forced for economic reasons to reverse its decision.

It would be cheap and easy to implement the standard byelaws introduced in 2007 but by doing this WPBC lose control over the beach and in particular unauthorised trading. Naturally they do not want to do this. We understand that it cost Bournemouth a huge amount of money to implement their successful promenade cycle scheme so that they could retain control. WPBC just cannot afford to do this.

It is absurd that a change supported by the public, the Council and the interested groups which would lead to considerable improvements cannot be implemented.
That's interesting Ken, Can you explain why this would lose control over the beach and unauthorised trading. I can fully understand why they don't want to lose control, but how would this actually do that. Thanks in anticipation of a reply

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dontbuyit says...
2:40pm Tue 15 May 12

And just where are our kids supposed to learn how to ride a bike? On the roads? No they need to stay on the pavements and beach front, roads are unsafe for adult cyclists let alone 5 yr olds.

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Ken Reed says...
2:48pm Tue 15 May 12

Hi Zac

The existing byelaw cannot be changed but instead the new model byelaw would have to be adopted. Under this new model byelaw, which can be implemented without major cost to WPBC, the council cannot stop people hawking goods on the beach. Under the existing byelaws they are able to do this.

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152l2 says...
2:56pm Tue 15 May 12

BINGO!!!!!

I am claiming olympic bingo on this story.

Pity it took fifteen comments.

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scubadude says...
3:01pm Tue 15 May 12

Good- No Cycling means No Cycling and if his Mum don't like it she can pay the fine. I am a Cyclist and would like to cycle on the Prom but know its not allowed so I don't, this kid and his Mum have no-one but themselves to blame. We have a cycle lane that runs almost continually from Dorchester to Castletown so anyone who says there is nowehere to cycle is ill-informed.

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letsgotravelling says...
3:04pm Tue 15 May 12

I work on beach patrol and it is not our job to force people to get off their bikes, we simply have to advise people of the laws. The police are the ones to enforce the laws. There was a petition to get a cycle way on the prom and 49% of people were for it and 51% of people were against it so we lost out. It's all the old biddy's in weymouth that are against it! they have nothing better to do but complain!

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WeymouthMAN11 says...
3:06pm Tue 15 May 12

scubadude wrote:
Good- No Cycling means No Cycling and if his Mum don't like it she can pay the fine. I am a Cyclist and would like to cycle on the Prom but know its not allowed so I don't, this kid and his Mum have no-one but themselves to blame. We have a cycle lane that runs almost continually from Dorchester to Castletown so anyone who says there is nowehere to cycle is ill-informed.
Nice right with you scubadade

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JoeyJo says...
3:16pm Tue 15 May 12

But they didn't want to go from Dorchester to Castletown.

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maximan says...
3:17pm Tue 15 May 12

siratb wrote:
This is why Weymouth is a Victorian seaside town...it still lives in Victorian times.
.
Visit Brighton, etc, plus all the beach cities in California and you will see cyclists and pedestrians can easily coexist.
.
A waste of time and money trying to enforce stupid bylaws like this.As for Beach Patrol "orrificer"...h
a, that is a joke!
With you except on thing...Weymouth is famous for being Georgian...the statue and the White Horse give it away...

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wessex-andy says...
3:19pm Tue 15 May 12

It is responsibility of all parents to teach their children the basics of the laws of the land, be they local by-laws or national laws. Allowing them (or possibly in this case encouraging them) to break the laws at such a young age will teach the youngster that it is all-right for them to do whatever they like when they get older.

If it comes to prosecution, the parent should be the one to go to court and end up paying the fine.

There are many places around our town where a youngster is permitted to ride. Take them there to practice their skills. Or is it too far for the parent to be bothered to take the child.

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JoeyJo says...
3:29pm Tue 15 May 12

I don't know where Harry and his mother were going but I would assume that they wanted to get from A to B, not just practising skills, and the esplanade was the safest place to do this.

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ZacJones says...
3:32pm Tue 15 May 12

Thanks Ken, That explains a lot, of course they would not want to lose control so it would seem the bye-law will stay.

While I agree that 5 would seem to young, Wessex-Andy has raised a good point and that is part of my earlier point, we should be abiding by these laws better as a community. Remembering of course the old gentleman that got knocked over a couple of years ago and broke his leg.

If anything, no real harm has been done in this instance and it has raised the profile of this problem again, which it would seem is going to keep coming up year after year.

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steve_dorset says...
3:59pm Tue 15 May 12

wessex-andy wrote:
It is responsibility of all parents to teach their children the basics of the laws of the land, be they local by-laws or national laws. Allowing them (or possibly in this case encouraging them) to break the laws at such a young age will teach the youngster that it is all-right for them to do whatever they like when they get older. If it comes to prosecution, the parent should be the one to go to court and end up paying the fine. There are many places around our town where a youngster is permitted to ride. Take them there to practice their skills. Or is it too far for the parent to be bothered to take the child.
spot on

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HotBeaver1 says...
4:56pm Tue 15 May 12

@maximan - I think you will find that Brighton (originally the fishing village of Brighthelmstone) rose to fame as a Georgian resort as well...

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islandman says...
4:59pm Tue 15 May 12

Two new webcams on the old Tourist Information Office aimed in both directions, yet adults still ride their bikes, howcome no jobs-worth pops out to catch them.

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Raymond Moobs says...
5:48pm Tue 15 May 12

What utter rubbish this is, I've been stopped before on the prom and the beach staff don't threaten prosecution they just give advice. Also it's not the police that prosecute, it's the council, and finally, has everyone forgotten the poor old gent that was knocked down last year and ended up with a broken leg, he was hit by a youth cycling along the prom. I seem to remember the Echo were in uproar about that, strange how they change their tune when it suits.

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I'mavoter says...
6:05pm Tue 15 May 12

So it's alright for youths to ride their skateboards along the esplanade, sometimes at quite a speed, and it's alright for the electric scooter brigade to wiz along the esplanade, sometimes quite recklessly, but a cyclist ? Hell no perish the thought. I've also seen roller skaters along there too. So why is there discrimination against cyclists of what ever age ?

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exocet says...
6:23pm Tue 15 May 12

He is clearly a criminal and should be flogged as an example to others!

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siratb says...
6:24pm Tue 15 May 12

I always thought kids below 10 were allowed to ride on the pavement..no?
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I "did the right thing" a few weeks ago..Walking into town with the family, the 6 year old decides she wants to cycle. So we all walk into Weymouth, the better half pushing the baby in the push chair, 6 yo cycling on the Preston part of the prom and me in tow on my bike. We get to Greenhill and I explain we can't cycle on the prom, but she wants to cycle, so we decided to cycle up Greenhill road and meet the others at the other end. NEVER AGAIN....Highly dangerous with all the moronic drivers, even with my tow bar connected to her bike. I'd rather pay her fine than have the death of a child.
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If the police have nothing better to do than arrest a 5yo for cycling on the prom, then I want my Council Tax back please. Luckily I think the police have more sense than that, and it is only some jobsworth civil servant on a power trip who would really make a big deal of this.....

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Crabber says...
6:40pm Tue 15 May 12

smokey5756 wrote:
The mother makes a very good point. If a land train is allowed on the promenade why not bicycles. May I suggest that Weymouth follow St Helier's lead and paint a cycle way on the promenade.
Absolute waste of time. There are numerous cycle lanes painted all over thr Borough and even Mano of the Idiotic Adult Cyclist's in the Borough do not know or want to use them.But they are soon in the Ohec moaning when a car gets a bit close or they get hurt. Having said this FFS what are we coming to the lad is 5 years ols for God Sake. Whatever next the 'Moor U-5 Chavvies' being nicked for playin wiv toy gun's innit?

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I'mavoter says...
7:02pm Tue 15 May 12

Does the bylaw allow a motor driven vehicle,towing several trailers, to drive all along the esplanade ? Where can I get hold of a copy of this bylaw ?

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I'mavoter says...
7:05pm Tue 15 May 12

exocet wrote:
He is clearly a criminal and should be flogged as an example to others!
He he, like it ! Lol

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t.munro says...
7:19pm Tue 15 May 12

I'mavoter wrote:
Does the bylaw allow a motor driven vehicle,towing several trailers, to drive all along the esplanade ? Where can I get hold of a copy of this bylaw ?
Get the bylaw from the council, just a phone call, after you have read it you will be able to answer your own question.
The bylaw forbids bicycles and tricycles, that is two wheels and three wheels, so with four wheels you are Ok, skates, skate boards, land trains,disability buggies (not the three wheeled variety)
The council are the enforcement agency, police are not much fussed, more important things to do.
Thought, if a person with a disability,used a three wheeled vehicle would the council, threaten them with prosecution, whilst ignoring another person in a four wheeled buggy. Or would the jobsworth be encouraged to use their discretion? If there is discretion why was it not used in this instance?

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intherain says...
7:20pm Tue 15 May 12

Like someone has already said 'no cycling' means just that! The mother is supposed to be the responsible adult, and therefore should not be encouraging her son to break the law......she would have been the one to receive the fine!

To try and use the land train etc. to justify anyone cycling in a no cycling area is ludicrous!

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P Dorph says...
7:49pm Tue 15 May 12

letsgotravelling wrote:
I work on beach patrol and it is not our job to force people to get off their bikes, we simply have to advise people of the laws. The police are the ones to enforce the laws. There was a petition to get a cycle way on the prom and 49% of people were for it and 51% of people were against it so we lost out. It's all the old biddy's in weymouth that are against it! they have nothing better to do but complain!
As Weymouth relies mainly on "old biddys" for revenue I would say you are close to biting the hand that feeds you. Oh dear!!!

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JoeyJo says...
7:53pm Tue 15 May 12

What is really ludicrous is that motor vehicles are allowed and bikes are not. Where is the sense in that?

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I'mavoter says...
8:20pm Tue 15 May 12

t.munro wrote:
I'mavoter wrote:
Does the bylaw allow a motor driven vehicle,towing several trailers, to drive all along the esplanade ? Where can I get hold of a copy of this bylaw ?
Get the bylaw from the council, just a phone call, after you have read it you will be able to answer your own question.
The bylaw forbids bicycles and tricycles, that is two wheels and three wheels, so with four wheels you are Ok, skates, skate boards, land trains,disability buggies (not the three wheeled variety)
The council are the enforcement agency, police are not much fussed, more important things to do.
Thought, if a person with a disability,used a three wheeled vehicle would the council, threaten them with prosecution, whilst ignoring another person in a four wheeled buggy. Or would the jobsworth be encouraged to use their discretion? If there is discretion why was it not used in this instance?
Genuine thanks for the info Mr Munro, and the clarity, much appreciated.

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Dr Brendan Webster says...
8:25pm Tue 15 May 12

siratb wrote:
I always thought kids below 10 were allowed to ride on the pavement..no?
.
I "did the right thing" a few weeks ago..Walking into town with the family, the 6 year old decides she wants to cycle. So we all walk into Weymouth, the better half pushing the baby in the push chair, 6 yo cycling on the Preston part of the prom and me in tow on my bike. We get to Greenhill and I explain we can't cycle on the prom, but she wants to cycle, so we decided to cycle up Greenhill road and meet the others at the other end. NEVER AGAIN....Highly dangerous with all the moronic drivers, even with my tow bar connected to her bike. I'd rather pay her fine than have the death of a child.
.
If the police have nothing better to do than arrest a 5yo for cycling on the prom, then I want my Council Tax back please. Luckily I think the police have more sense than that, and it is only some jobsworth civil servant on a power trip who would really make a big deal of this.....
Of course you could insist that your child walks with their bike just as you would have been doing. I am not sure that failure to be in control of your children is a good reason to change the rules.
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Some years ago, I held the position that Andy Blackwood currently holds. I told council officers (not that Councillors have any executive authority) that I wanted them to use discretion especially in respect of young children in the company of a responsible (pedestrian) adult.
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If the adult is irresponsible, then that is another matter.
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A couple of bloggers reminded us that a chap was knocked down and suffered a broken leg. A year or two before we had an elderly man knocked down by a pavement cyclist and killed.
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There are many schemes for having cyclists and pedestrians share space. Some are better than others, 'everybody keeps to the left' seems to work - at least there is an expectation about which side to pass on and pedestrians know to look over their shoulder before manoeuvring. However, these schemes tend to be best where the shared space is used as a travel route rather than a recreational space where people ranging from the elderly to toddlers meander and chill. I do not believe the esplanade is a good space to mix cyclists with pedestrians. Of course there are times when there are so few people about that no harm would be done but this would be difficult to stipulate - a sunny day in spring, autumn or even winter can be very busy.

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fixbike says...
8:47pm Tue 15 May 12

dontbuyit wrote:
And just where are our kids supposed to learn how to ride a bike? On the roads? No they need to stay on the pavements and beach front, roads are unsafe for adult cyclists let alone 5 yr olds.
check the size of the bike wheel If it is 14" or under it is (normally) classed a toy not a bike thus meaning it can be used as there is no law stating you can not use toys. But this would only mean for kids so dont go thinking you can use your kids bikes to have a ride along there.

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weymouth1990 says...
9:47pm Tue 15 May 12

i've been riding on the esplanade for as long as i can remember and aint going to stop riding on it.

bikes are the way forward, no insurance, no tax, no running fees, no parking fees.

all you miserable gits complaining about this young lad are all jealous. i hope this lad gets back on his bike and carries on riding on the esplande.

KEEP ON RIDING!!!!!!!!

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DorsetEco says...
10:20pm Tue 15 May 12

I first learned to ride a bike on the prom in the days when the police made sure that all riders on the road obeyed the law, but that was 60 years ago when common sense was more common. I hope young learners will still be allowed to build confidence in the right way and under supervision on the prom.

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WeymouthMAN11 says...
8:32am Wed 16 May 12

weymouth1990 wrote:
i've been riding on the esplanade for as long as i can remember and aint going to stop riding on it. bikes are the way forward, no insurance, no tax, no running fees, no parking fees. all you miserable gits complaining about this young lad are all jealous. i hope this lad gets back on his bike and carries on riding on the esplande. KEEP ON RIDING!!!!!!!!
Except for the fines you’ll be racking up in the summer Oh and don’t forget the personal injury claim made against you for knocking that old lady over. Guess it might be wise for you to get insurance. Don’t start crying when some irate father punches you in the face when you ride into his children!

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ZacJones says...
9:17am Wed 16 May 12

weymouth1990 wrote:
i've been riding on the esplanade for as long as i can remember and aint going to stop riding on it.

bikes are the way forward, no insurance, no tax, no running fees, no parking fees.

all you miserable gits complaining about this young lad are all jealous. i hope this lad gets back on his bike and carries on riding on the esplande.

KEEP ON RIDING!!!!!!!!
I think if you read back no-one has moaned at the young lad, some have suggested the mother should be teaching him to keep to the law, and that is fair comment. And where on earth did you did up Jealousy from? Yes keep on riding, you will get caught, you will get a fine, and with over 500 police in for the Olympics the chances are pretty high.

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weymouth1990 says...
6:13pm Wed 16 May 12

WeymouthMAN11 wrote:
weymouth1990 wrote: i've been riding on the esplanade for as long as i can remember and aint going to stop riding on it. bikes are the way forward, no insurance, no tax, no running fees, no parking fees. all you miserable gits complaining about this young lad are all jealous. i hope this lad gets back on his bike and carries on riding on the esplande. KEEP ON RIDING!!!!!!!!
Except for the fines you’ll be racking up in the summer Oh and don’t forget the personal injury claim made against you for knocking that old lady over. Guess it might be wise for you to get insurance. Don’t start crying when some irate father punches you in the face when you ride into his children!
got to get caught first. also i wouldn't ride along there when its busy numpty, and its common sense to slow down when approaching old people or children.

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sprintstar says...
11:27am Thu 17 May 12

Just make the kid ride in the road, then when he gets knocked over by a car no-one will be prosecuted.

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ArfurTowcrate says...
12:30pm Thu 17 May 12

"I think it’s unfair that there is a land train, which has a motorised engine that can go on the promenade but a child can’t ride a bike".

That's a bit more than "unfair", Mrs Besant - it shows that Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is institutionally stupid.

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BorisTheBold2 says...
12:54pm Thu 17 May 12

If the bylaw states no 2 or 3 wheeled forms of transport allowed but 4 or more (i.e. motorised land train and mobility scooters) then just fit 2 stabilisers on your bike, hey presto, 4 wheels.
I'm sure readers of Viz can provide more "Top Tips"
8c)

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Linz69 says...
2:36pm Thu 17 May 12

Obviously, considering the kid's age, it would be silly to prosecute.

HOWEVER - I am fully behind this. Kids should be trained where they can and where they can't cycle from an early age.

Cyclists can be a menace - cycling on the pavements and making it dangerous for pedestrians. Cycle on the roads - not the pavements.

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markerpen says...
3:35pm Thu 17 May 12

As this story made the front page perhaps we should be more concerned about the lack of a proper newspaper for the area.

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Andy Blackwood says...
6:41pm Thu 17 May 12

I tend to agree with you markerpen. You may be interested to know that the Echo are currently refusing to publish a letter from me in response to some innaccuracies in this report. It will be interesting to see whether they take it off here:

Re: Article published on front page and page 2 Tuesday 15th May 2012 (Come off it and Court threat for boy, 5, riding bike

Dear Editor,

In response to your article which appeared on the front page and page 2 on Tuesday 15th May 2012 titled : Come off it and Court threat for boy, 5, riding bike, I would like to make the following comments :-

· At no stage in dealing with the case of a child riding along the promenade would any kind of prosecution have been mentioned or “threatened”. The beach attendants role is to advise members of the public about the byelaws relating to the seafront.

· A common sense attitude is taken when dealing with young children both by the police and ourselves

· The cycling issue is a very contentious one within the local community which is why a complete review of the relevant byelaw was undertaken throughout 2005 (including widespread consultation with the community) with full council debating the matter in 2008 resulting in relaxing the byelaw along Preston Beach but voting to retain and enforce the no cycling byelaw along Weymouth and Greenhill Promenades

· W&PBC and Dorset Police have been under constant pressure from the community and some sections of the media to enforce the no cycling byelaw

· An elderly man was severely injured last year on the promenade when a young cyclist collided with him causing broken bones resulting in a lengthy stay in hospital

· At no time would the prospect of prosecuting a 5 year old child have been mentioned – my understanding is that the mother asked the attendant if we would prosecute a 5 year old child and the attendant said “no – only adults are considered for prosecution”.

I trust this additional factual information will address the concerns of members of our community and demonstrate that W&PBC strive to take a balanced and fair view on this delicate issue.

Cllr Andy Blackwood (W&PBC brief holder for Leisure & Tourism)

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billylovesweymouth says...
10:37pm Thu 17 May 12

As well as all the other points, what gets me is that on a couple of occasions I have noticed these electric wheelchairs ride along the Esplanade at top speed without consideration for the people walking on it. Much more dangerous than a 5 year old on a bike. There are parts of the Esplanade that are wide enough for a cycle lane. Surely thats the way forward.

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Hedgehogspring says...
10:20am Fri 18 May 12

3 things.....

1. This woman admits she may be in the wrong for letting him cycle in a place where cycling is not allowed. If it says "No Cycling", what do you think that means ?? Have a guess ? So, if you are doing something wrong, what makes you think you can complain ?
2. Why go straight to the newspaper ? All it does is make you look stupid (see point 1)
3. If you are going to make your kid wear a crash helmet, make him do it properly. The way the helmet is balanced in the photo, it would fall off before he hit the floor. If you value your kid's head, make him wear it properly.

The amount of sh*te stories appearing on this website nowadays is incredible.

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butters1999 says...
12:12pm Fri 18 May 12

t.munro wrote:
I'mavoter wrote:
Does the bylaw allow a motor driven vehicle,towing several trailers, to drive all along the esplanade ? Where can I get hold of a copy of this bylaw ?
Get the bylaw from the council, just a phone call, after you have read it you will be able to answer your own question.
The bylaw forbids bicycles and tricycles, that is two wheels and three wheels, so with four wheels you are Ok, skates, skate boards, land trains,disability buggies (not the three wheeled variety)
The council are the enforcement agency, police are not much fussed, more important things to do.
Thought, if a person with a disability,used a three wheeled vehicle would the council, threaten them with prosecution, whilst ignoring another person in a four wheeled buggy. Or would the jobsworth be encouraged to use their discretion? If there is discretion why was it not used in this instance?
so could i put two lego wheels on my bike then it has four wheels ?

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Rhinestone~Cowboy says...
1:45pm Fri 18 May 12

THROW THE BOOK AT HIM , THATS WHAT I SAY !!! he should know better and if so necessary to aid his compliance .... tazers should be deployed . This is an accident waiting to happen and can only lead onto hard drugs the skys the limit ... nip it in the bud and give him a custodial sentence (life without parole) that should suffice !!!!!!

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TomCaulfield says...
2:00pm Fri 18 May 12

I for one am DISGUSTED by the utter SHAMBLES reported here. How DARE this young CRIMINAL be allowed to SO RECKLESSLY endanger LIVES. This is a symptom of the SICK SOCIETY we live in these days and it makes me ASHAMED TO BE HUMAN. I am SICKENED by the youth of today, just SICKENED. What kind of HORRIBLE WORLD are we living in when SCUM like this are allowed to ROAM the streets?

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dabtv says...
2:38pm Fri 18 May 12

markerpen says...
3:35pm Thu 17 May 12

As this story made the front page perhaps we should be more concerned about the lack of a proper newspaper for the area.


I find it hard to think that there are 60 odd comments on this non story when we have 3 local lads missing at sea!!!

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dabtv says...
2:46pm Fri 18 May 12

Just another thought, as everywhere which is flat and safe is either being used for the Olympics or being built on, is there anywhere safe for young children to learn to ride a bicycle in this town.

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angel.2072 says...
3:44pm Fri 18 May 12

my point is that if bikes cant go along then well I suggest that that the old biddies that are on mobility scooters whizzing by practicly knocking people over should be band, they got no respect I have a 3 yr old son and whilst waiting for the couch one day my son was nearly knocked over by an old lady on a mobility scooter and instead of saying sorry she swore at me and was very rude which I was very upset about luckily my son was not seriously hurt and also people on skateboards and those that are on Rollerblades 2 so at the end of the day its just all about people having respect and i always thought that children under 10 can ride on paths as it is a lot safer than the roads and i no that cos wen i was younger i was out riding my bike and going round the round about i nearly got knocked of my bike due to and idiot driver so at the end of the day people on bikes are not the only ones children just need to be taught to have respect and im sure the 5 year old was being careful bless him i no if i was 5 i wouldn't want to ride my bike again. hope the lil boy is ok though.

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angel.2072 says...
3:48pm Fri 18 May 12

and thoses that are noasty about young children really want to grow up remember the child is only 5 for god sake if ya want to have ago at any then have a go at the mother cos she can handle people being nasty unlike a defenceless 5 yr that cant stick up for himself

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Merlin of Britain says...
4:33pm Fri 18 May 12

I've read the above comments with great interest (and also DESPAIR at the lack of education evinced by many writers!!) and have to say that Weymouth is not very well placed regarding provision for cyclists. The indifference shown by many pedestrians (actually motoristas who have just temporarily got out of their cars..!!??) when using dual-use thoroughfares is amazing - and if you dare to brush past them, when they STUPIDLY walk along the cyclists' section, it's ALWAYS YOU who are in the wrong..!! The commenter who mentioned Germany was absolutely right - as I've pointed out to these idiots several times. If a pedestrian wanders into the road, a German motorista will swerve - TO DELIBERATELY HIT THEM. I'm told the same holds true in the France, too. Maybe it's the same all over Europa..?? Certainly, pedestrians need to get their $hit together regarding commonsense and public responsibility when on dual-use (shared) byways.
I'm also GREATLY annoyed by that IMBECILIC "Land Train" (is there some other variety whereof I am blissfully unaware..??!!) ringing its irritating bell to tell pedestrians to get out of its way, whilst it does what we cyclistas are supposed to refrain from doing.
Finally, the Rodwell Trail (Dogbog Trail..?? Smells like it, in places..!!) would be much more pleasant for all concerned if pedestrians didn't so often go 'mob-handed' when out for a walk, kept to the left, kept their dogs on SHORT leads and didn't SPREAD OUT ALL ACROSS THE TRAIL - no more than two abreast, if you please..!!

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CamPhil says...
6:33pm Fri 18 May 12

In answer to the comments asking about invalid carriages, it doesn't matter how many wheels they have - they are expressly allowed.
The Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act 1970 states:

20.
Use of invalid carriages on highways.
— (1) In the case of a vehicle which is an invalid carriage complying with the prescribed requirements and which is being used in accordance with the prescribed conditions—
(a)
no statutory provision prohibiting or restricting the use of footways shall prohibit or restrict the use of that vehicle on a footway;

“invalid carriage” means a vehicle, whether mechanically propelled or not, constructed or adapted for use for the carriage of one person, being a person suffering from some physical defect or disability;

So people with disabilities can ride there in the confidence that their use of an invalid carriage (any single seater ridden by a person with a disability meets the requirements) is protected by national law, which takes precedence over local byelaws.

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fixbike says...
8:09pm Fri 18 May 12

I have a 4 wheel bike that my kids can both sit on and ride. I might have to go look at this bylaw and see if that can go on there!!!!

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Merrittpr says...
1:16am Sat 19 May 12

I'm going to keep this as succinct as I can. Worthing had similar problems with cycling on the prom as Weymouth does. After years of time wasting they finally opened up the prom again to cyclists. It used to have a cycle lane on it but this was closed after a woman was hit by a bike and injured. There used to be a marked cycle lane but it was blanked out. Today's cyclists can cycle anywhere on the prom as there is no lane and they just have to watch out for pedestrians using it. The smart thing would have been to mark up a lane, like they have on other parts of the route, but they decided in their infinite wisdom not to do this. The current system has been working for about two years and all seems well. I can't really see why there is really is such a problem for Weymouth, people just seem to find excuses rather than just getting things sorted for the common good. Come on we are living in modern times and should be promoting safe cycle routes so cyclists are encouraged into town, let's face it the seafront road is grid locked in the summer and this year it's going to be even more dire. Being a keen cyclist it's so frustrating to be allowed to cycle from the bowleaze end of town along the prom only to be dumped off into one of the worst spots on the road, narrow lanes and uphill, then the added joy of merging traffic from the right. If you have not tried it you should give it a go, not the best experience for the faint hearted. Just mark out a cycle lane and make it a clear distinction from the rest of the prom. People will occasionally stray into it but a careful and considerate cyclist will just slow down and gently remind pedestrians that they are in the way. As for this specific case I'm afraid one rule should apply to all. I would love to see parents petitioning for a safe cycle route from and to town. I agree with a previous comment that its not much fun having a toddler on a bike shunting you in the back when you least expect it. As for the train, I used to say the same in Worthing. This is run as a business so it will always have priority and a right of passage. I also agree that children should not be punished for their actions in this example. It is parents that have to take sole responsibility in this type of situation as they are fully aware of all the facts and, indeed, current bye laws. As for adults openly flouting the law then don't be surprised if you get fined. On the spot tickets are the order of the day in Worthing, it's just not worth the expense. I have just read that a body has been retrieved from the sea and it seems likely to be one of the crew from the missing Weymouth vessel. My deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this tragic incident. I only hope that tomorrow brings better news for all concerned.

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Dr Brendan Webster says...
2:28pm Sat 19 May 12

Marked cycle lanes are more dangerous than non marked dual use in most situations. The Preston Beach section of the promenade is better off without a painted lane,, in my view.
.
What seems to work in some situations, is signposting for pedestrians and cyclists to "keep to the left" (or could be right). Under these conditions pedestrians hearing a cycle bell behind, know that the bike will pass on their right. It is not well suited to areas in which there is much random movement such as the Esplanade would be if cycling were allowed there.
.
In my view the Esplanade is best kept cycle-free for the benefit of the majority of users, which is currently and always will be, pedestrian.

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TomCaulfield says...
5:44pm Sat 19 May 12

I think, at times like this, the best thing we can do is line dance. You up for it, rhinestone cowboy?

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JoeyJo says...
5:45pm Sat 19 May 12

The Esplanade is being kept cycle free for the benefit of traders, as Mr Webster well knows.

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marabout says...
12:45pm Sun 20 May 12

There seems to be a growing resentment towards the by-law preventing cycling on the esplanade.

People should remember that this law is THEIR law. If they want to change it there is a right and proper process for that to happen.

Don't moan about the law - Change it

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JoeyJo says...
6:01pm Sun 20 May 12

Many people have tried, the council agreed. But then the council changed its mind and now refuses to do anything about it. So if you have any ideas then over to you.

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TenBobDylanThomasHardy says...
7:20pm Sun 20 May 12

Who's for mass trespass, next Sunday 15:00? That's Pedestriands and Cyclists to demonstrate to the 'law-makers' that we are capable of controlling our activites and don't need their mindless interference!

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Merrittpr says...
9:50pm Sun 20 May 12

Marked cycle lanes are more dangerous Dr Webster? I really cannot agree with that one at all. If there is a clearly marked lane then it's obvious what lane you should cycle in and what part of the prom you walk on, no need for RANDOM movement then! Brighton prom in the summer has got to be one of the busiest going, and in places it becomes quite narrow, yet by a clearly marked lane both cyclists and pedestrians operate safely. Other European countries have clearly marked cycle lanes that work very effectively. How can you say that the prom should be cycle free as the majority of users are pedestrians?? The very fact that the current by-law exists means that the majority using it is always going to be pedestrians unless it is changed to permit cycling!! I was reading an article in Auto Express yesterday and it's horrifying how many cyclists are seriously injured or killed each year on Britian's roads. The purpose of my comments is to raise awareness of the need for safer cycling routes, this surely being one of them. I'm not sure what all the history is regarding previous attempts to open the prom to cyclists, I just hope that the issue, now highlighted by this article, leads to someone in authority reviewing the current by-law and acting positively to promote safer cycling within Weymouth. If its ok to cycle on one part of the prom then why not all of it? That decision makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever......

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Merrittpr says...
9:53pm Sun 20 May 12

Marked cycle lanes are more dangerous Dr Webster? I really cannot agree with that one at all. If there is a clearly marked lane then it's obvious what lane you should cycle in and what part of the prom you walk on, no need for RANDOM movement then! Brighton prom in the summer has got to be one of the busiest going, and in places it becomes quite narrow, yet by a clearly marked lane both cyclists and pedestrians operate safely. Other European countries have clearly marked cycle lanes that work very effectively. How can you say that the prom should be cycle free as the majority of users are pedestrians?? The very fact that the current by-law exists means that the majority using it is always going to be pedestrians unless it is changed to permit cycling!! I was reading an article in Auto Express yesterday and it's horrifying how many cyclists are seriously injured or killed each year on Britian's roads. The purpose of my comments is to raise awareness of the need for safer cycling routes, this surely being one of them. I'm not sure what all the history is regarding previous attempts to open the prom to cyclists, I just hope that the issue, now highlighted by this article, leads to someone in authority reviewing the current by-law and acting positively to promote safer cycling within Weymouth. If its ok to cycle on one part of the prom then why not all of it? That decision makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever......

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Desk24 says...
11:47am Mon 21 May 12

Common sense, liberal tolerance, deter the extreme.

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Desk24 says...
4:06am Tue 22 May 12

Riding a bike is often thw best and quickest way from A to B in town. It also cuts out traffic jams, cuts on poloution. Its a matter of exercise for many and economics. The bike has a strong argument in transport, common sense will need tolerance on this one.

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