RE: Cyclepath concerns . When this was first muted there was not a lot of consideration given to the fact that, when it is a fine day, the seafront is going to be packed with pedestrians of all ages, together with prams, wheelchairs and numerous canines
RE: "Cyclepath concerns".
When this was first muted there was not a lot of consideration given to the fact that, when it is a fine day, the seafront is going to be packed with pedestrians of all ages, together with prams, wheelchairs and numerous canines, on and off the lead, and all going in different directions.
I, myself, am a cyclist and ride to Orcombe Point and back, but use the road. This can also be dangerous because of motorists, who seem to blank cyclist from their mind's eye, as I have frequently been chopped off by motorists whose sole intent is looking for somewhere convenient to park.
When they come across one, the fact that their vehicle is fitted with rear view mirrors doesn't come into the equation, as their sole intent is to occupy that space as soon as possible and ignore road safety rules.
I think that splitting the pavement into two lanes and designating them pedestrian/cyclist is not the answer - the two don't mix.
Get rid of the painted stripe, make it a shared zone, with the emphasis put on taking care by pedestrians, and cyclists/child cyclists who want to use the zone.
Then perhaps the bolshy cyclists, who want to have clear passage along the seafront, would take to the road, where there is less likelihood of colliding with a wayward child, slow moving pensioner or uncontrolled canine.
What an intolerant society we are becoming!
G Wilson,
Brooklyn Park,
Exmouth.
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