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05/07/2008, 8:40 AM MattW Joined on 15/02/2004 Norwich Posts 118 An open message to cyclists in Norwich. Can I make a request to the cyclists of Norwich that, until more cycle lanes are built, they make use of the roads in accordance with the Highway Code. Yesterday afternoon I was in the city centre. As it was such nice cycling weather, a lot of people were on their bikes but such a high number were on the pavements where pedestrians, like myself, were walking. I must ask these cyclists: What wrong: hasn't Mummy and Daddy gave them permission to cycle on the roads? All of them were old enough 'to know better'! I was walking along St Andrew's Street and St. John Maddermarket when I noticed all of these cyclists. One guy in his late teens/early 20s with blond dreadlocks and livery in the same colours of the Jamaican flag cycled right past me on the pavement as I headed in the direction of St. Benedicts. I was a bit startled as I was listening to the radio using my earphones (and not at a very loud volume that I couldn't hear the traffic either). I walked up St. John Maddermarket towards Dove St and three cyclists came right past me and cycled continued on Dove St. towards the market place. This is supposed to be a one way street going in the opposite direction. A lot of big lorries have to use this precarious bit of road and I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of one of them heading in the opposite direction. My observations are in addition with the story in the Evening News of the elderly gentleman who was struck by a cyclist on the very narrow St. Gregory's Alley - very close to where I witnessed some very poor dispays of cycling yesterday. The culprits should be forced to take actions for their own actions!    Report

05/07/2008, 12:05 PM GreenBlue Joined on 01/06/2008 Posts 59 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich. MattW I can't agree more. If cyclists can't cycle legally, they shouldn't cycle and give other cyclists a tarnished reputation. Warnings/Fixed penalties are one issue; bike confiscation ultimately as a deterent against errant cyclists.      Report

15/07/2008, 10:30 PM MattW Joined on 15/02/2004 Norwich Posts 118 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich. I saw some more idiots cycling on pavements this afternoon when I was walking along Aylsham Road (about 4.35pm). But the incredible thing is that this was done while there were Motorcycle police in the area, speaking to motorists who were pulled over. There were about four of them - each were talking to 3 motorists and 1 motorcyclist between the Press Lane junction and the Barclays Bank branch next to Glenmore Gardens. This was in the space of around 10 minutes. Maybe Norfolk Constabulary should focus 50% of their Aylsham Rd activities (and other roads of course) on non-motor related criminal activities such as illegal cycling and community crime.    Report

16/07/2008, 4:07 AM ironsmad Joined on 12/03/2008 Posts 131 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich. I call this nice weather-policing ,easy targets motorists. While real crime's and anti-social behavior goes mainly unchecked or as in this case unnoticed  by the plods. Motorists are deemed to be villains and cash cows by the government and chief constables .    Report

31/07/2008, 2:07 PM lila Joined on 31/07/2008 Posts 1 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich.  MattW wrote: Can I make a request to the cyclists of Norwich that, until more cycle lanes are built, they make use of the roads in accordance with the Highway Code. Yesterday afternoon I was in the city centre. As it was such nice cycling weather, a lot of people were on their bikes but such a high number were on the pavements where pedestrians, like myself, were walking. I must ask these cyclists: What wrong: hasn't Mummy and Daddy gave them permission to cycle on the roads? All of them were old enough 'to know better'! While I understand pedestrians' frustration with cyclists on pavements (I'm a cyclist AND a pedestrian, and I regularly get annoyed by irresponsible individuals zooming along on pavements), have you ever tried cycling on a main road in Norwich?!  I did a few times, and I feared for my life, with cars speeding, overtaking etc. I try to stick to smaller roads and avoid pavements, but due to the layout it's not often possible to get very far on them. So I do sometimes go on the pavement, yes - I don't like doing it, but I'd rather annoy pedestrians than get seriously injured. I always make a point of going slowly and watching out for pedestrians, and only use pavements when they're not busy... it's regrettable that not all cyclists act that way. On a general note, I moved to Norwich two years ago, and was shocked of the state of public transport (infrequent, expensive buses) and lack of provision for cyclists....    Report

31/07/2008, 2:15 PM GreenBlue Joined on 01/06/2008 Posts 59 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich. If one can't ride or feel confident on the road or follow the Highway Code, leave the bike at home!!!    Report

01/08/2008, 2:19 PM Harvs Joined on 17/04/2008 Posts 7 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich. Lila makes a valid point, road users around Norwich generally treat cyclists with a distinct lack of respect or regard for their safety. I cycle to and from work along Newmarket Road 5 days a week, and some drivers aren't even capable of simple tasks such as giving you a wide berth when overtaking. It's no surprise that some people resort to cycling on pavements when faced with such dangers on the road. Personally i don't mind people cycling on pavements when they are being sensible and not speeding between pedestrians etc. Of course when you get people travelling at high speeds in crowded areas it is both dangerous and stupid, but if someone is cycling considerately on a pavement and not inconveniencing others i think just leave them be. It's not even car/bus/lorry drivers that cyclists on the roads have to worry about. There have been many occassions when i have been cycling along a road and some idiot has gone to cross the road based entirely on the fact that they can't hear anything coming. They don't bother to look and as a result i am forced to swerve dangerously to avoid a collision. Not once have i received any sort of apology when this has happened, more often that not i get an angry remark or look, as if somehow their ignorance is my fault. With occurrences like this i am hardly surprised to see cyclists using the pavements, it's probably the only way to remind pedestrians that we're around!    Report

01/08/2008, 10:12 PM GreenBlue Joined on 01/06/2008 Posts 59 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich. Cyclists with attitude should definately not be alowed on the highway. Cyclists in poximity should have a bell and use it to warn pedestrians they are around. Cyclists found using the pavement persistantly should have their bikes confiscated, crushed or auctioned to legal cyclists!    Report

01/08/2008, 11:23 PM ironsmad Joined on 12/03/2008 Posts 131 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich. I find it most to be a generation problem with regards cyclists using pavements, over 40's use the roads and cycle paths other generations tend to take up use of the pavements.I don't mind children being exempt for using  pavements , over 16 should use the road .    Report

02/08/2008, 8:55 AM GreenBlue Joined on 01/06/2008 Posts 59 Re: An open message to cyclists in Norwich. Largely agree with this.    Report

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