The post you are reporting:
The law says that riding a bicycle on a pavement is an offence. If the traffic is dangerous, by all means use the pavement, but get off and push your bike, at least until the law is changed. Personally I think the law should be changed to allow cycling on pavements, provided: 1. pedestrians still have absolute right of way 2. riders carry compulsory 3rd party insurance and 3. 5mph speed limit. Until then, please don't break the law, or scare the sh1t out of me as I walk along Castle St, or use abusive language at me if I ask you not to ride in a dangerous manner, like so many of the cyclists who use Dover's streets have done in the not-too-distant past.
In the meantime I am all for schemes like the Dour Greenway. I would also welcome contraflow cycle lanes in one-way systems, as are commonplace on the continent, as well as designated cycle lanes through pedestrian precincts and subways such as the Townwall St tunnel. Silly to ban cycling through it, just give cyclists their own lane. Both Castle St and Russell St are amply wide enough for a cycle lane, and Walmer seafront is an excellent example of what can be done with a little thought. Simples.
I would also support zero-tolerance enforcement of the existing laws as, if cyclists can continue to flout the law with impunity, there will be no pressure either to introduce improvements, or change the law. In fact, if a cyclist can ride illegally on the pavement (or on London Road against the traffic flow) from Buckland Bridge to the seafront with no fear of prosecution, why should he want to use the new Greenway?
PG.