Dear Sir,

A few weeks ago, a letter concerning this subject by Alan Atkinson was printed in the Newton News. I, having a similar outlook to Alan, arranged to meet and discuss the matter, and though Alan had some other issues, we agreed in full about the main one, and that is “cyclists using footpaths”. For some reason cyclists seem to have got the idea that any footpath is also a cyclepath, not only is a footpath not a cyclepath, using one as such is against the highway code; rule 62 instructs on a certain level of conduct.

Both of these codes of conduct are not being ignored, they are basically unknown to the bike riders in question, because there is no set down standard for riding a bicycle, no test to be passed, no registration of a vehicle, no test as to the worthiness of the bike, and no personal insurance needed, the bike will usually be ridden by a child and I doubt that the parents can even be held responsible, if, however, the cyclist collides with a pedestrian, accidentally or otherwise. The parents of that child might even seek some form of retribution or other, from the pedestrian!

About a month ago, I was walking on a footpath when a boy aged, I guess between 14 and 16, came barrelling toward me, I stopped walking and simply stood where I was. He rode up to me and stopped because he could not pass unless I stepped off the path either into the muddy verge or onto the road. “This is a footpath” I said, “I know that you stupid ******dork”, was his reply.

I pointed out that he had left a cyclepath in favour of this route, but that only got me another round of abuse, at that I left the scene. I decided that the situation was going to become physical, and that although this boy was as big as an average man, I would still be found guilty of child abuse, probably even if I had come off worse.

We are being encouraged to become ecologically aware, and more responsible, but it becomes harder all the time to commit to being a pedestrian. I am physically fit and all my faculties work, I shudder to think what it’s like if you have a disability, let’s say blind, deaf, walking problems or even mental problems which cause anxiety.

This situation is only going to get worse and become like it has in the cities of the south where people are mugged and robbed by cyclists, who are, by the grace of the aforementioned lack of traceability, able to cycle away laughing.

Writing to the local press is not going to solve this problem, it needs people to get behind it in quantity, and though you may not use the footpath much, somebody near and dear to you probably does. I have also written to my local councillor, who will bring the matter before the police; but if you agree with any of this you need to make yourself known. To those of you who might read this, but go everywhere by car, I suggest you try this – GET OUT OF THE CAR.

Find a crossing point on a road (not a zebra), you will identify this by some concrete bobbles on the pavement, put there for the benefit of the blind and before trying to cross, shut your eyes and put your fingers in your ears, now cross when you think it is safe, if you dare – and then try to imagine being in this disabled state as a cyclist comes hurtling past you on a narrow footpath from behind, at speed and without warning.

If you are a responsible guardian of a cyclist, you could check to see that Code Rule 64 is understood and that, where necessary, Code Rule 62 is observed. You should be sure that the cycle is up to safety standard and has an audible means of declaring it’s presence.

POLICE: Well we know you are busy, what with the fact that you are naturally short of staff and of course Covid, but it really is your job to get these bikes off the street and, if needed, into the crusher, before someone gets hurt.

Name & address supplied