LETTERSFrom Doug Bailey, Newport:
TIM Thorne, chairman of CycleWight (CP letters, 23-12-11), conveniently left out one fact about cycle paths.
It is against the law to cycle on a pavement. Laws HA1835 section 72 & R(S)A 1984 section 129 apply but this doesn’t stop cyclists on the Island doing it. It is also stupid and unsafe to cycle against the flow of traffic, which was the whole point of my letter.
I do not believe a risk assessment has been done for the cycle path to go onto the pavement by the pedestrian crossing.
Cyclewight’s internet site, or Sustrans, say nothing about breaking the law by riding on pavements, but then they wouldn’t, would they?
Cyclists have a vested interest in using as much of the pavements, revetments and other areas, which have historically been for walking on, as a 'short cut’ as you have put it, and we, the pedestrians, have to put up with it.
Finally, Mr Thorne mentions that to inconvenience others is a way of life now.
Well, that explains why the people he represents don’t bother to let pedestrians know they are coming up behind them on a shared cycle path by ringing a bell, which most haven’t got.
They ride towards you in an intimidating manner so you have no other option but to get out the way. If you call them to task, what do you get in return? A mouthful of abuse.
I am only concerned for the safety of pedestrians as I strongly believe it is wrong to mix pedestrians and cyclists together.