Provoking debate

On Wednesday, September 12, my wife and I were walking along the narrow seafront footpath which leads from Goring to Worthing. Several people riding bikes passed us. I reminded them that it is a “no cycling” footpath, but only one got off. Most ignored me, with one responding arrogantly “Yes, I know”, as he cycled away at speed.

As we approached Worthing my wife, distracted by two more cyclists coming from behind, tripped and fell, fracturing her right wrist. This necessitated an operation under general anaesthetic in Worthing Hospital the following day, to insert four screws and a plate in her wrist, which will be in plaster for six weeks.

The cyclists stopped and were mortified, realising that my wife’s fall had been brought about by their riding along a no cycling footpath.

Apart from using valuable NHS resources, the other consequences of this injury are significant. So far, my wife has spent 16 hours in Worthing Hospital, including 12 hours on the day of her operation. There are two more visits scheduled.

Our lives are having to be reorganised over the next six weeks to cater for my wife’s injury. Afterwards, physiotherapy may be needed. All this for something which would never have happened if the cyclists had respected the no cycling notices.

To those who use no cycling footpaths, I ask you not to cycle, and if you see people doing so, please remind them politely that they are not supposed to be riding their bikes!

To Worthing Borough Council (responsible for the footpath), I ask: what is the point of having no cycling notices without enforcement? The council should consider using enforcement agencies at suitable times and severe penalties for cyclists who ignore no cycling restrictions. If a few irresponsible cyclists suffered such penalties, it would serve as a deterrent to others.

Conversely, by not taking action, the council may find itself liable to pay damages should a more serious “cyclist versus a walker” incident occur. Would council tax payers be happy to bear the cost?

Sadly the arrogance displayed by some people in ignoring restrictions which are generally introduced for the health, safety or benefit of all, seems to be a feature of our lives these days.

Richard Richards

East Preston