Towpath cycle row gets physical

Adam Hewitt • Published 24 Jul 2010 09:30 7 Comments

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A SIMMERING row between cyclists and homeowners has taken a turn for the worse with a campaigner breaking her leg and a rider allegedly attacked.

This week's two incidents are the latest in a long saga over the towpath along the south bank of the Thames between Caversham and Reading bridges, sections of which are private property.

Artist Sarah Head, who is pregnant, said she was threatened by a cyclist earlier this month, and she said: "I asked him to slow down and he got off his bike and raised his fist to hit me."

The 32-year-old, from Brigham Road, said: "They're often very aggressive.

"Some are nice and slow down, but others use it as a shortcut to work, trying to beat their times. All we want is signs showing it's not a cycle path."

A cyclist ploughed into an elderly woman who owns part of the land in Thames Side on Monday morning, speeding off and leaving her with a broken leg.

She has campaigned for years against cyclists using the stretch and it happened just weeks after she was in collision with another rider, dislocating her shoulder.

She was recovering at Royal Berkshire Hospital yesterday but, speaking to The Chronicle before her injury, she said: "They go at huge speeds and need to be stopped, it may as well be the M1."

In a separate incident, a cyclist claimed he was assaulted on Sunday by a man trying to stop him using the path. Police made an arrest.

The 2m (6.5ft) wide path is not a cycle route, despite a 2007 bid to make it one, but most of it is classified as public highway, according to Reading Borough Council.

Inspector Graham Markham said police had been calming tensions over the past 18 months and are investigating the latest clashes.

He said: "We can't enforce tickets because it's a right of way. Some residents have perhaps taken things into their own hands. We've told them not to try to stop cyclists because it is a right of way."

Reading Cycle Campaign chairman Adrian Lawson said cyclists have used the path unobstructed for decades but the council refuses to designate it as a cycle route.

He said: "We regret any accident between cyclists and pedestrians, which are thankfully incredibly rare.

"What's far more dangerous is a cyclist colliding with a vehicle. We need improvements to cycle facilities across Reading, they are appalling."

He said even the 'official' path on the north bank of the Thames is shared-use and that cyclists' only other option south of the river was the "dangerous" Vastern Road.

He added: "Everything is a compromise and we're at the bottom of the hierarchy."

Abbey ward councillor and former borough transport boss Cllr Tony Page said it had been a long-running problem.

He said: "The problem is enforcement, you can't physically stop people from using the path. I have considerable sympathy for the residents, but don't think there's a great deal more we can do. The vast majority of cyclists use that route responsibility. If there's been a serious injury, that's a matter of concern."

The Round Berkshire Cycle Route map tells riders to dismount on the towpath, adding: "There are no legal rights, at present, to cycle on the towpath so please wheel your cycle for the last mile or so to Caversham Bridge."

The Environment Agency also has this warning: "Riverside paths aren't suitable for cycling fast. If you are in a hurry, use an alternative route."

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Localperson44
Unregistered User
Aug 3, 15:57
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I wouldn't walk along this path again, the last time I did I was confronted with one bike after another that seemed to use me and my 6 year old as something to dodge between or around as fast as they could, with no eye contact. We spent most of the walk stood up against fences and walls to avoid them.

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faye
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Aug 4, 16:43
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Cyclists do not set out to harm anyone, but the sad fact is the lack of provision of safe cycle routes in Reading mean we are faced with the choice of taking our chances with our own health against every idiot with a driving license or, running the risk of hurting a pedestrian. What would you prefer your child to do on the way to school?

The ONLY solution to the cyclist vs pedestrian vs car row is for Reading Borough Council to provide safe routes where abuse by car drivers is prevented by proper enforcement of the rules of the road, and examples are made of the drivers who go out to specifically target cyclist with thier road rage.

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localperson44
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Aug 4, 18:17
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I would disagree with you along this particular stretch of river as I think you would expect to harm someone, by not anouncing your presents or just continuing at the same speed no matter who is in your way, my sons head was level with their handle bars and we had several near misses, and probably dodged about 10 bikes. I was taken by surprise as I hadn't been that way for some time, and wouldn't risk it again. I used to go out with the Reading Cycling club and loved it, but we always had a code of conduct. We do need more safe cycle ways so that people can travel safely because our roads in Reading have now become so busy, and this situation can maybe be avoided?

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AdrianWindisch
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Aug 4, 22:29
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Shared use paths with pedestrians are always difficult. SHame Cllr Page seems to have done nothing for cycling in Reading.

As a cyclist I have had to brake and swerve to avoid people walking out with out looking. As a pedestrian Ive jumped out of the way of the occasional speeding cyclist.

Other countries have diffent soulutions eg put the cycle path at a raised level.

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cycle lover
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Aug 5, 16:39
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Dont you think that this story and comments on it just re confirms that Reading cycle routes are inadequate. RBC must improve them and they know it. At present all of the routes across Reading are broken up which results in cyclists having to use other means to adjoin the route they are trying to follow. Its logical! I use roads and paths to do so. There is no other option.

PLEASE do more to improve the routes. This way we commuters can all use our bicycles instead of using buses and cars. Isnt this the overall aim? Blame lack of investment in these routes not each other.

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mrlexy
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Jul 3, 19:33
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No cycling signs have go up here but I am rather suspicious these were put up by the residents rather than any authority - there has been nothing in the media about this change as you would have expected with such a long time issue

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DidOldBagDeservedIt
Unregistered User
Jul 5, 12:19
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Yeah No Cycling signs are up and as usual the majority (of cyclists) are demonised due to the minority. However, with this policy the council will soon be banning cars from roads. Call Emma Baker 0118 937 4881 to ask why at Reading Bl**dy Council.

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