Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
#1
A walk on the sidewalk is a dangerous activity in Dover.
Cyclists, left unchecked to zoom around on the pavement, have been growing in confidence. Seemingly regarding the pavement as the norm, it is not unusual for them to bomb around blind corners at top speed - the York Street Folkestone Road junction being a particular blackspot. And that's just one example.
When is action is going to be taken on this ever-worsening problem? As with my column on the boy racer plague in the "Dover Express" in 2010, I ask whether there has to be fatality before we wake up to the issue?
There is a fatality rate nationally as this article shows:
http://road.cc/content/news/6482-cycling-groups-back-jail-term-killer-cyclist
Right, I'm off out for an evening walk on the seafront, and I promise I'll not use the cycle lanes.
Over to you, powers that be.......
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
the folkestone road pavements are a nightmare from speeding cyclists of all ages.
a few years back there was a "clampdown" in town with signs up about fines being imposed, even a photo opportunity of a police officer telling a cyclist to dismount due to the new or existing law.
a few weeks later the signs disappeared and i commented on this forum about it, oddly enough they were put back a week later!!
i e mailed kent police 3 times requesting information on how many fines had been handed out but never had a reply or even an acknowledgement
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
#3
The authorities will have blood on their hands when someone is hurt.
Time to act.
Guest 717- Registered: 16 Jun 2011
- Posts: 468
#4
Andrew what cycle lanes are you referring to I wonder? Apart from the seafront u can hardly call this town cycle friendly. I'd think after the success of the Olympics we would have invested in this sport some more.
Keeps politics to myself
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
#5
Precisely the ones you mention, Helen.
I agree more would be desirable, but cycles belong on roads and cycle paths, not the pavement.
When I was a child growing up in Whitfield in the 1870s, an irascible elderly gentleman called Mr Ockendon lived in a corrugated iron shack at the junction of Sandwich Road and Napchester Road, long since demolished and a four bedroom house built as a memorial.
Mr Ockendon was a source of terror to the local kids, emerging from his door to roar disapproval at us errant two-wheeled scamps. And very effective. His spirit is needed today.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
you look younger than that andrew, getting back to cycle lanes the seafront had them clearly marked out until it was revamped - now they appear then disappear then reappear.
the sustrans cycle/pedestrian route is beyond belief, won't say anymore as i have posted more than enough photos of it on here.
as a footnote the underpass to the seafront has 2 lanes for pedestrians and one for cyclists and although they are clearly marked out very few pay much attention.
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,599
#7
I never give way to anyone cycling on paths.
The majority are grown men who surely are man enough to cycle on the road.
One man ended up in a very prickly bush by Buckland Bridge because he couldn't get past me!
Guest 717- Registered: 16 Jun 2011
- Posts: 468
#8
I agree cyclists belong on roads but I have cycled many miles around Kent and have got to say Dover is one of the worst places for bikes. Had my elbows brushed by too many lorries. Car drivers are inconsiderate and impatient. When I was younger, much like others on this forum,of course we biked on roads. Lets not forget, however, that traffic volumes have increased and it is no longer even safe to play in the street.
Until drivers attitudes change towards cyclists can u blame them for being on the pavement? (I'm not talking about the ones who don't give way to pedestrians)
Keeps politics to myself
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#9
Most cyclists I've seen recently, cycle through red-lights, up one-way streets, on pavements and none ride their bikes in a considerate manner. Maybe I've only seen the bad ones - there must be law-abiding cycists somewhere.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#10
sadly i have to agree with roger and it is not the preserve of the young.
Guest 904- Registered: 21 Mar 2013
- Posts: 312
#11
The posts about cycling in Dover make me chuckle, I commuted by bike through Central London for three years - now that was an adventure
Standards are slipping, but no more than driving standards are falling - it's a sign of the times I'm afraid. Cycling proficiency tests in schools/Cub Scouts/Brownies etc will take care of educating the children, but the majority of offenders I see are adults. How does one educate them on the etiquette of cycling?
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#12
Roger Walkden wrote:Maybe I've only seen the bad ones - there must be law-abiding cycists somewhere.
There is one in town who I always see using the one way system and even stranger gives clear hand signals, I notice him because he lives in my road.
I can't help but wonder how many of the bad cyclists have been banned from driving a car because of their poor driving which they continue with their dangerous and inconsiderate cycling.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#13
Well, 'stiles' set at the junctions of footpath and pavement should slow things down.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
#14
More cycle lanes are needed but so is a crackdown on reckless cyclists putting pedestrians at risk.
Guest 732- Registered: 8 Nov 2011
- Posts: 128
#15
Sorry to say it but it's safer to ride on the path in a safe manner than it is to run the gauntlet through Dover.
I'd would rather see a cyclist on the path than one laying injured in the road, and when I'm out walking and a cyclist is approaching I will just move out of there way, no big deal.
Guest 761- Registered: 10 Jul 2012
- Posts: 115
#16
Find myself having to agree with Vince on this one, provided they are sensible cyclists and pedestrians are a safer mix than cyclists and motor vehicles. There are far more fatalities involving the latter.
Guest 717- Registered: 16 Jun 2011
- Posts: 468
#17
Well said Vince!
There's a reason bikes don't use pavements in the Netherlands...because its safe to ride on the road there and councils have made it that way. If only the UK would follow suit
Keeps politics to myself
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
#18
While there are pavements to ride upon there will be fatalities on the road.
If only the pavement cyclists paid attention to some set of rules, as apply to mobility scooters - as if they know or care, the arguments for allowing them access to pedestrian areas might be made, but this is not the case at all.
Transferring the dangers to road-riding cyclists to the pedestrian with the excuse that there will be fewer fatalities is entirely wrong headed.
It will be safer sooner for road-riding cyclists ONLY as and when they are driven off the pavements and footpaths and back onto the road where they (so) rightly belong.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#19
I have no objection to sensible and considerate cyclists using the pavement but I do object to those who thinks every pedestrian should get out of their way especially when it means a pedestrian is nearly pushed into the road.
Most British pavements are narrow and built for pedestrians not cyclists, mothers with prams or young children, dog walkers and us oldies can not just jump out of their way.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#20
I have no objection to cyclists dismounting and pushing their bikes in pedestrian areas or on pavements when it's advisable for their own safety. I strongly object to cyclists riding along pavements and I will not give way to them.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson