Cycle lane urged as Felpham boy, 7, injured

Helena Wilmers said a properly-regulated route for the two-wheelers would end the current free-for-all along the seafront route. Her son, Edward Wilmers (7), suffered two broken front teeth, gravel rash and cuts to his face, back of his head and knees in the collision.

She said: "Although it's a promenade for pedestrians, there ought to be a cycle path created along there because so many people of all ages use it for cycling. It's a good place for cycling. If there was a cycle path, most people are sensible enough to use it properly.

"People would have to stick to the rules like they do on the roads. It would be safer for everyone than the current situation. Pedestrians walking along there have to look out for cyclists everywhere at the moment."

The accident happened when Edward was riding his bike with his five-year-old brother along Felpham seafront heading towards Middleton with Mrs Wilmers walking behind at about 4.30pm last Saturday.

He had reached the turning into Wedgwood Road.

Mrs Wilmers was told by pedestrians walking close by that Edward's bike was clipped by a male cyclist heading into Wedgwood Road. The force of the collision sent Edward flying head first over his handlebars to land on the Tarmaced surface. The first Mrs Wilmers (34) knew about the accident was the sight of a couple walking towards her with a bloodied Edward and wheeling his cycle.

She took Downview Primary School pupil Edward to St Richard's Hospital for a check-up. Doctors pronounced him free of broken bones or other injuries.

Mrs Wilmers, of Sea Road, Felpham, later spoke to the man about the accident. He admitted to being in the area at the time though denied any knowledge of knocking Edward off his bike.

Cycling is currently banned along the entire Bognor Regis area promenade under an Arun District Council bylaw. The Observer has reported that Arun and West Sussex councils are considering allowing cycling to be permitted between Gloucester Road and Sea Road.

The latest proposal is to allow mixed cycling and walking along the seafront rather than having designated areas.

Arun services director Colin Rogers said the issue would again be debated at the July 30 meeting of the Joint Western Arun Area Committee. Its members would make the final decision.

"My view is that if you are going to have a mixed promenade you will need a speed limit," he stated.

If the committee agreed to cyclists and walkers mixing, the council would have to amend its bylaw.

This can be achieved by councillors at a full council meeting.

He added, however, that the ban on cyclists would still apply to the rest of the promenade and seafront footpaths.

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