Video: People of Notts have their say about cycling on pavements
Nottingham cycling groups have said people riding on the pavement is still an issue despite the number of fines reportedly halving since 2013.
Under the Highway Code, it is illegal for cyclists to ride on the pavement and 661 fines were issued in 2013 across Nottinghamshire to those who committed the offence.
Nottingham cycle groups have said it is an issue part of a wider problem involving all highway users.
Hugh McClintock, Newsletter Editor of cycle campaign group Pedals, said: “It is always an issue that arises from time to time, cyclists who show no consideration to pavement users are wrong.
“Individual complaints are received and raised at meetings every now and then but it does depend on the circumstance, it is less acceptable for cyclists to be doing it in city areas where pavements are tight.
“It is part of a wider issue of poor consideration by drivers who are in powerful machines that can do damage, this intimidates cyclists who in turn may decide to cycle on the pavement.
“We need safer road layouts.”
Ian Hutchinson from RideWise, a Nottingham cycle safety charity, explained there are roads in Nottingham that cyclists fear.
He said: “The A52 from Priory Island to Sherwin Island is a dangerous stretch of road although it has a speed limit of forty miles per hour.
“When so many people are doing it, it must be hard for police to control.
“They have targeted areas such as Beeston Road, putting signs up warning cyclists they would be fined if they were caught on the pavement.”
A man has reportedly started a campaign calling on authorities to do more about the problem.
This comes a day before the City Council’s Annual Cycle Forum (January 20) where the public will meet councillors to discuss cycling in Nottingham and a new code of conduct aimed at increasing understanding between pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
A City Council spokesman said: “We are investing substantially in infrastructure which allows cyclists to be segregated from other road traffic and from pedestrians, which clearly is the best possible solution for everyone.
“We are also developing options such as quiet routes to give cyclists traffic-light alternatives.
“However, this isn’t possible in every location and so we look to cyclists to use roads where no alternative exists. We will often warn cyclists using pavements that it is an offence that could result in a fine.”
Notts Police have said the issue ‘does not justify concentrated police efforts and resource.’
A police spokesman said: “Riding a bicycle on the pavement is an offence that can attract a fixed penalty notice but officers should use discretion and consider the circumstances of each location.
“Some cyclists do use the pavement instead of the carriageway and occasionally there is potential risk of injury to pedestrians.
“Officers are instructed to challenge cyclists seen riding on pavements and this is on-going work.
“Nottinghamshire Police does not have unlimited resources and has to prioritise where these resources are deployed.
“The reality is that collisions and injury to pedestrians is mercifully a very rare occurrence and whilst there is a potential this has not manifested itself often.
“We remain committed to preventing and detecting crime and will constantly review our approach in tackling these issues.”
