Having been brought up in an era long ago when police would take action against kids seen riding bikes on Brigg footpaths, it makes me uneasy to see precious little being done about the issue today. There seem to be more and more kids riding on our paths.
Surely bikes belong on the road – paths are for people. That’s unless there are officially marked cycle lanes, as is the case along Wrawby Road.
Twice within the space of a few hours I encountered several youths riding side-by-side along a footpath in Brigg. And these were not small children.
You also see quite a few cyclists (often adults) riding through Brigg's pedestrian area.
Brigg kids used to be taught Cycling Proficiency and told that, in accordance with the Highway Code, their place was on the road - never the path.
I think cyclists should cycle on the street (unless they're very young). However, I disagree that bikes should be disallowed from the pedestrian area. It's fine to ask cyclists to slow down and take care when in this area, but stopping them entirely isn't good policy for promoting cycling. The only other route through Brigg is along the A18, which is very unwelcoming. If we're serious about encouraging people to cycle, and we definitely don't believe there's enough space in the Market Place and Wrawby Street for both walkers and cyclists, then the council needs to provide cyclepaths along the A18.
ReplyDeleteThere appears to be much confusion about motorists and cyclists in the pedestrian area - one minute I hear it's illegal; the next, it's not legally enforceable; then it's not a police priority...and finally, there's a suggestion that the area is still legally regarded as a vehicular thoroughfare.....
ReplyDeleteEven the sign in the pix is confusing, Scribs. It does not actually say a cyclist cannot cycle in Wrawby Street...only that they should dismount in the Market Place. Lastly, the sign is an informative, unofficial sign....not an obligatory sign indicating that it has to be obeyed.
I'm sure we all agree that cycling offences are afforded Priority Zero.
ReplyDeleteHow times have changed.........in my toddler days, folks were regularly nabbed for not having a bell on a bike; kids were fined 5 shillings for playing football in the street; policemen were on point duty directing traffic at rush hour and they travelled about by bus, or peddled about on a black bike wearing a cape! And they had a truncheon stuck down a long-thin pocket in their trousers.....and wore a chain with a whistle on the end...............and appeared to be 10 foot tall!!
ReplyDeleteCorrected me spelling>>>
ReplyDeleteHow times have changed.........in my toddler days, folks were regularly nabbed for not having a bell on a bike; kids were fined 5 shillings for playing football in the street; policemen were on point duty directing traffic at rush hour and they travelled about by bus, or PEDALLED about on a black bike wearing a cape! And they had a truncheon stuck down a long-thin pocket in their trousers.....and wore a chain with a whistle on the end...............and appeared to be 10 foot tall!!
Z Cars, Softly Softly, Dixon of Dock Green, No Hiding Place....Brigg Police with a Chief Inspector, Inspectors, Sergeants living in police houses next to the Cop Shop in Wrawby Street. But no crime website that's still showing February's crime stats though it's almost May. No wonder some of us "live in the past!"
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