Cycle link suggestion

IN times of strong controversy about some of the decisions taken by local council officers about developments in Bexhill, it is only right to congratulate them heartily for the approval of the construction of the Bexhill-Hastings cycle link.

This project, to be completed in 2011, not only will add greatly to the enjoyment of the leisure of many people and families, but will also facilitate and improve the lot of many commuters in the two towns. Well done!

May I now suggest to the same officers how this facility could be significantly extended by making the whole promenade, all the way to Cooden beach, a shared zone between pedestrian and cyclists?

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The expense would be negligible: just a few signs indicating that pedestrians and cyclists share the promenade, giving priority to

pedestrians and limiting the speed to, say, five miles an hour. No structural alterations whatsoever.

Please, do not be unduly influenced by the usual knee-jerk reactions evoking visions of the ‘Lycra-clad brigade’ charging through and scattering the old, the infirm and little dogs like ninepins.

Many towns in Great Britain have such shared facilities and there is only an insignificant number of incidents recorded.

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The presently-allowed skateboards offer a potentially much greater risk of collision (no brakes) and severe damage to lower limbs

and little dogs, the in-line skaters are seen to weave their way through at considerable speeds, but they are allowed and for this nobody seems to mind and no righteous reaction is elicited.

In fairness, there does not seem to be much of a history of incidents involving these two groups either.

Live and let live! But why single out and demonise the poor cyclist?

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The natural reaction is to be offended by people who break the rules, no matter how unjust, and I believe that, once it is known that cycling is allowed, most people would not mind at all some cyclists in their midst.

Finally, as a compromise solution, the scheme could be allowed for a trial period, say one or two years, and a final decision could then be taken in full cognizance of the facts.

REBERTO BINI

Bexhill Wheelers

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