It seems that some of the more reasoned stalwarts who chat on the forum and write into the editor raise some issues which I hope folk will chat about on here. Especially given my mate - willcove - despairs about pavement cyclists ..
The winner of the Star prize of high viz.gear..

(Way to go! It does sort of reinforce the contention here that this is essential gear

) writes that he believes the cycleways generate a perception amongst the cycling public that it's OK, fine and dandy to ride on the pavements and indeed ALL footways. He also thinks that the cyclepaths also serve to convince the drivers that cyclists have no right to be on the roads because it endangers them as well as the cyclist.
Now this person says in his letter that he lives just yards from the Future Press HQ and that
Quote:
contrary to C+ staff observations he does see adults regularly riding on pavements
Yep.. sounds about right. We do warn and even

-i-i-ssue fixed panties to those who repeat. NOT anti-cycling. Cyclissimo! We have to enforce the laws here and people do complain to us after all.
He also tells C+ that these pavement cyclists in Bath are
Quote:
very aggressive
WHat is it with them down "Sarf"
Chill out! Us up 'ere in't North are much more relaxed and
C+ editorial commnet that he is calling the Bath-Bristol cycleway the "road to hell" and that
editor's tongue in cheek quip wrote:
If that were so - it would be warmer out there
He does say though that to say he knows people ride illegally on the pavements but that to say it's because of the shared use paths is a giant leap to make.
I agree. Others may not.
My opinion? Not so much fear of the roads .. but laziness because the footpaths lead to the shops they wish to shop in... and they want to park biuke outside the door and off.
These are the same type who -if in a car - would park on double yellows.. in disabled bays... the thoughtless, selfish and aggressive.
And it always gives us much pleasure to issue this type however they travel with a wake-up call in the form of a fixed penalty
I criticise muppet drivers... that does not make me anti-driving. This Force rightly prosecutes any driver who makes the roads here unpleasant for others. That does not make us "unfriendly to drivers". We just do what we have to to keep our patch as safe as possible.
I criticise muppet cyclists and they get prosecuted here as well if they break the laws.
That's not being "anti" anything. That's the job after all. Apart from that - we want safety and zero harrassment for all.