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GO AHEAD AND BREAK THE LAW
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| ON THEIR BIKES: Cyclists Anne Neale, Geoff Dodge and Ken Reed |
CYCLISTS have been told they can break the law on Weymouth seafront and ignore no cycling' signs.
New legislation allowing cycling on The Esplanade has taken so long to introduce that Weymouth and Portland Borough Council chiefs have promised to turn a blind eye to law-breakers.
They have written to cyclists to reassure them they will not be prosecuted by police for what is still technically an illegal activity.
But until the change in bylaw is introduced, no cycling' signs have to remain in place on the seafront.
Councillors first voted to allow cycling on the Esplanade in June 2006.
They said pushbikes could be used between the Sluice Gardens and Overcombe Corner at any time and between the Devonshire Buildings and ramp access next to the Rock Groyne except between 10am and 5pm in the summer.
Nearly two years on, cycling enthusiasts are still waiting for the bylaw to be pushed through.
A note about bylaw amendments given to councillors in November 2005 estimated that the overall process would take eight to 12 months to enforce.
Cycling lobbyist Ken Reed, of the Dorset Cyclists' Network, said: "This is ridiculous. We are now two years down the road and we are not getting anywhere.
| “This is ridiculous. We are now two years down the road and we are not getting anywhere. We have been pestering them to get on and change the bylaw but we are still waiting.” | | Ken Reed |
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"We have been pestering them to get on and change the bylaw but we are still waiting."
Mr Reed, of Weymouth, said he was uncomfortable with the council's reassurance that he can break the law.
He said: "We still get people saying you shouldn't be cycling' because of the signs.
"We asked if they could take the signs down but that's not allowed.
"If you are driving in your car and you see a no entry' sign then you don't go in, but if you see a sign that says no cycling' you don't expect to be allowed to cycle down there."
Coun Christine James, the council's transport spokeswoman, blamed central government red tape for the hold-up.
She said: We apologise for the delay in amending the byelaws, which is due to changes introduced at a national level by the Department of Communities and Local Government and is frustratingly out of our control.
"It is confusing, but although we will have taken the decision not to prosecute people for cycling as the 2006 amendments state, we must still wait for formal approval before changing the signs and publicising the new bylaws.'
9:55am Wednesday 7th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Fabian, Weymouth on 11:37am Wed 7 May 08
Perhaps they could put another sign up to say [quote]'Please ignore the other sign'[/quote] . ;-)Fools....
Perhaps they could put another sign up to say
'Please ignore the other sign'
. ;-)Fools....
Posted by: genghis, portland on 4:33pm Wed 7 May 08
What a joke! Why does the Council think they need to give cyclists permission to break the law on the Esplanade when cyclists already break the law everywhere else? Pavements are no longer for pedestrians and even the so-called "pedestrian zone" in the town centre is open season for any cyclist. That's not counting the cars and lorries that trundle through the "pedestrian zone" at whatever time they like.
One way systems? Not for bikes they're not. Many a time I've seen cyclists riding the wrong way down St Thomas Street playing chicken with a bus. Perhaps the Councillors should stroll out of their Ivory Tower once and a while and see what life is like for a pedestrian for a change.
What a joke! Why does the Council think they need to give cyclists permission to break the law on the Esplanade when cyclists already break the law everywhere else? Pavements are no longer for pedestrians and even the so-called "pedestrian zone" in the town centre is open season for any cyclist. That's not counting the cars and lorries that trundle through the "pedestrian zone" at whatever time they like.
One way systems? Not for bikes they're not. Many a time I've seen cyclists riding the wrong way down St Thomas Street playing chicken with a bus. Perhaps the Councillors should stroll out of their Ivory Tower once and a while and see what life is like for a pedestrian for a change.
Posted by: techie, Weymouth on 5:11pm Wed 7 May 08
The Esplanade is not a pavement and, if you read the article, you will see that there are bylaws due to be revoked that expressly forbid cycling on the Esplanade that do not apply elsewhere.
The Esplanade is not a pavement and, if you read the article, you will see that there are bylaws due to be revoked that expressly forbid cycling on the Esplanade that do not apply elsewhere.
Posted by: Oliver Holt, Wyke Regis on 5:21pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]genghis[/bold] wrote:
What a joke! Why does the Council think they need to give cyclists permission to break the law on the Esplanade when cyclists already break the law everywhere else? Pavements are no longer for pedestrians and even the so-called "pedestrian zone" in the town centre is open season for any cyclist. That's not counting the cars and lorries that trundle through the "pedestrian zone" at whatever time they like.
One way systems? Not for bikes they're not. Many a time I've seen cyclists riding the wrong way down St Thomas Street playing chicken with a bus. Perhaps the Councillors should stroll out of their Ivory Tower once and a while and see what life is like for a pedestrian for a change. [/quote] I sympathise with you, but one thing that really annoys me and many others when out cycling is that there is no safe way around the town centre on a bike. There is the Rodwell trail and the cycle/bus lane on the seafront, but there is no way to get between the two without risking your life on a main road or cycling all the way around the harbour. In the end I dismount and push my bike down the street. In most European countries, minor one-way roads allow cyclists to ride in both directions, and also many roads are 'semi-pedestrian' where cyclists and pedestrians have more freedom to cross etc as cars have to slow right down.
genghis wrote:
What a joke! Why does the Council think they need to give cyclists permission to break the law on the Esplanade when cyclists already break the law everywhere else? Pavements are no longer for pedestrians and even the so-called "pedestrian zone" in the town centre is open season for any cyclist. That's not counting the cars and lorries that trundle through the "pedestrian zone" at whatever time they like.
One way systems? Not for bikes they're not. Many a time I've seen cyclists riding the wrong way down St Thomas Street playing chicken with a bus. Perhaps the Councillors should stroll out of their Ivory Tower once and a while and see what life is like for a pedestrian for a change.
I sympathise with you, but one thing that really annoys me and many others when out cycling is that there is no safe way around the town centre on a bike. There is the Rodwell trail and the cycle/bus lane on the seafront, but there is no way to get between the two without risking your life on a main road or cycling all the way around the harbour. In the end I dismount and push my bike down the street. In most European countries, minor one-way roads allow cyclists to ride in both directions, and also many roads are 'semi-pedestrian' where cyclists and pedestrians have more freedom to cross etc as cars have to slow right down.
Posted by: local resident, weymouh on 5:38pm Wed 7 May 08
They let cars park 24/7 on the footpaths in Portland Road, so whats a few cyclists on the footpath.
They let cars park 24/7 on the footpaths in Portland Road, so whats a few cyclists on the footpath.
Posted by: John, Weymouth on 6:37pm Wed 7 May 08
The matter of banning cyclists from the Sea wall was an ill-conceived action, with councillors no doubt pressurised by the hysteria that was in part whipped up by the Echo at the time. Now we see an equally provocative headline.
However, now that the council appears to be doing something sensible, perhaps they could also tackle the dangerous situation at Overcombe corner.
There, two lamp-posts have been placed slap bang in the middle of the cycle lane, and surrounded with sandbags and warning cones. So cyclists have no option but to cross into the pedestrian section.
The matter of banning cyclists from the Sea wall was an ill-conceived action, with councillors no doubt pressurised by the hysteria that was in part whipped up by the Echo at the time. Now we see an equally provocative headline.
However, now that the council appears to be doing something sensible, perhaps they could also tackle the dangerous situation at Overcombe corner.
There, two lamp-posts have been placed slap bang in the middle of the cycle lane, and surrounded with sandbags and warning cones. So cyclists have no option but to cross into the pedestrian section.
Posted by: Fishman68, Weymouth on 12:19am Thu 8 May 08
Does this include nutter motor bike riders too? They does seem to care for the road rules either!
Does this include nutter motor bike riders too? They does seem to care for the road rules either!
Posted by: genghis, portland on 7:22am Thu 8 May 08
Sorry if I sound so unsympathetic to all you poor, persecuted cyclists but your arguments are a load of hogwash. PAVEMENTS and PEDESTRIAN zones are meant for PEDESTRIANS. I've lost count of the number of times that I've seen, or have been the victim myself, of you cyclists peddling down the road when the traffic lights change to red and the cyclist then just bumps up onto the pavement without any regard to any pedestrians.
If there is a lack of provision for cycle lanes then campaign to get some instead of riding on the pavements. If you haven't got confidence to ride your bike where they should be ridden, on the ROAD, then I suggest you shouldn't be riding a bike.
Sorry if I sound so unsympathetic to all you poor, persecuted cyclists but your arguments are a load of hogwash. PAVEMENTS and PEDESTRIAN zones are meant for PEDESTRIANS. I've lost count of the number of times that I've seen, or have been the victim myself, of you cyclists peddling down the road when the traffic lights change to red and the cyclist then just bumps up onto the pavement without any regard to any pedestrians.
If there is a lack of provision for cycle lanes then campaign to get some instead of riding on the pavements. If you haven't got confidence to ride your bike where they should be ridden, on the ROAD, then I suggest you shouldn't be riding a bike.
Posted by: Iona, Dorset on 11:05pm Thu 8 May 08
We need a list of the laws that we are allowed to break and a list of laws that we are not allowed to break.
Is one allowed to leave toddlers off their reins on the esplanade - is it one’s fault if they toddle unexpectedly into a passing cyclist, or would the courts take a different view?
By the way, one is allowed to put doggy poo, but not one’s household rubbish, into ordinary street litter bins.
Is one allowed to drink on the beach?
Is one allowed to park on the pavement?
Am I alone in being unsure of what is legal and what is not?
We need a list of the laws that we are allowed to break and a list of laws that we are not allowed to break.
Is one allowed to leave toddlers off their reins on the esplanade - is it one’s fault if they toddle unexpectedly into a passing cyclist, or would the courts take a different view?
By the way, one is allowed to put doggy poo, but not one’s household rubbish, into ordinary street litter bins.
Is one allowed to drink on the beach?
Is one allowed to park on the pavement?
Am I alone in being unsure of what is legal and what is not?
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