Pedestrians and cycling paths in Hastings

I’d like to thank the person in last week’s Observer who responded to my letter of the previous week regarding irresponsible cyclists. I also welcome his support in saying that there are indeed a “few selfish cyclists” and that there should be a review of the problem, particularly at Denmark Place.

However, may I correct some mis-representations for Observer readers who missed my letter.

I never said I “objected to cyclists using the cycle track along the seafront”. Nor did I suggest that 80% of riders were selfish, or that there should be a speed limit of 5 mph. I actually wrote “I’ve often witnessed as many as 8 out of 10 cyclists travelling at speeds far in excess of the walking pace of 5 mph.” I have though often written to the council pleading for a maximum speed limit to be imposed and a ban on dangerous riding such as wheelies and riding ‘no-hands’.

He feels that such cyclists are the exception, not the rule, but we all know that it takes only one irresponsible rider to cause a serious accident. He also declares he’s astounded at the lack of awareness of some pedestrians. But at busy times, families with prams and young children are often not able to avoid spreading onto the cycle path. One reply I received from the council states, “As far as I am concerned bikes and their riders are guests on the shared spaces and that pedestrians always come first even if the cycle route is clearly defined.” Perhaps the council should place signs reminding cyclists of this fact.

When those he rightly calls ‘selfish riders’ speed past, especially those coming from behind without a warning bell, and with the rapidly increasing use of electric cycles and scooters, I fear for the safety of young children changing direction as they run along the promenade. I fear too for the safety of autistic and other special needs children, for people with walking sticks, unstable senior citizens and those suffering instability as a result of a stroke (like myself), all of whom find it difficult to walk in a straight line!

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