Letter: Cycling to work is a daily torment

Correspondent • Published 9 Sep 2010 09:36 0 Comments

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I have noticed in the last few weeks that there have been numerous letters and a few small articles relating to cyclists, but none of them properly represent a cyclists experience of daily commuting.

As a cyclist, driver and pedestrain I sympathise with everyone’s experiences, but lately I have received so much abuse from pedestrians and drivers alike that I felt compelled to write this letter in the hope that it may enlighten people of the daily abuse received.

Luckily I start work very early each morning ,so there are very few cars or pedestrians about, but I dread my cycle journey home from work each day now as I do not know when will be my unlucky day - will it be a driver who runs me off the road, a pedestrian who walks in front of me or just more verbal abuse?

It appears that even the PCSOs and police do not conform to the Home Office guidelines, going by the clampdown on cyclists using the pavements in Caversham.

I have cycled to and from work/college for over 10 years. I believe cyclists should be able to use any footway on the understanding that they give way to pedestrians at all times.

I would like to point out that I obey all other rules: I always wear a fluorescent jacket, helmet and have lights front and back when required. I do, however, use the footpath on certain roads, and will continue to do so in order to preserve my safety.

Each weekday I cycle to work using the footway, the road (where I deem it safe enough to do so) and, of course, cycle paths. I have received verbal abuse from motorists because I am not cycling fast enough and the road is not wide enough for them to overtake. In the past I have also received verbal abuse from pedestrians, even though I have dismounted and wheeled my bike in the road in order to give pedestrians priority. I have even received abuse from other cyclists when I have pointed out that they have cycled through a red light.

It is becoming commonplace that I have been forced onto the path when vehicles have overtaken and then cut me up or they have overtaken and then turned left in front of me, causing me to take evasive action.

It is, of course, against the law to cycle on footpaths, but most police authorities are intelligent enough to use their discretion. The law is not as black and white as many may think. Fines can only be issued where cyclists are wilfully putting pedestrians in danger, and was not meant for the majority of cyclists who use the pathways responsibly.

Please see definition of the act below:

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"The object of Section 72 Highways Act 1835 was intended not to protect all footpaths, but only footpaths or causeways by the side of a road, and that this is still the case has been ruled in the high court. The legislation makes no exceptions for small wheeled or children's cycles, so even a child riding on a foot way is breaking the law. However, if they are under the age of criminal responsibility they cannot, of course, face prosecution.

"On 1st August 1999, new legislation came into force to allow a fixed penalty notice to be served on anyone who is guilty of cycling on a foot way. However the Home Office issued guidance on how the new legislation should be applied, indicating that they should only be used where a cyclist is riding in a manner that may endanger others. At the time Home Office Minister Paul Boating issued a letter stating that:

""The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required."

"Almost identical advice has since been issued by the Home Office with regards the use of fixed penalty notices by 'Community Support Officers' and wardens.

"CSOs and accredited persons will be accountable in the same way as police officers. They will be under the direction and control of the chief officer, supervised on a daily basis by the local community beat officer and will be subject to the same police complaints system. The Government have included provision in the Anti Social Behaviour Bill to enable CSOs and accredited persons to stop those cycling irresponsibly on the pavement in order to issue a fixed penalty notice.

"I should stress that the issue is about inconsiderate cycling on the pavements. The new provisions are not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of the traffic, and who show consideration to other road users when doing so. Chief officers recognise that the fixed penalty needs to be used with a considerable degree of discretion and it cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 16. (Letter to Mr H. Peel from John Crozier of The Home Office, reference T5080/4, 23 February 2004)" source: www.bikeforall.net/content/cycling_and_the_law.php

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I would also like to bring to your readers' attention some of my experiences, so that those who take part in little or no cycling are given an insight into some of the common situations which I have witnessed or experienced first hand.

Earlier this year at 6.30am I witnessed a cyclist being knocked off her bike in front of me at a roundabout. She had lights on her bike, was wearing a cycle hat and fluorescent jacket. The motorist simply did not look right before he chose to accelerate across the roundabout. Luckily I found out later from the police that she only had superficial injuries, but it could have been far worse.

It appears cyclists are not welcome on roads or footpaths. Unfortunately, as with many things, it is but a few who give cyclists a bad name. However, I would like your readers to ask themselves a few questions:

1. When was the last time you cycled on the road on a regular basis?

2. As a motorist do you always give sufficient room when over taking a cyclist?

3. Do you overtake cyclists on the brow of a hill and on blind corners?

I do not blame all drivers for the minority who are inconsiderate. Please do not blame me for other inconsiderate cyclists, who do not give way to pedestrians, and run red lights.

If you feel that stongly about cyclists using the pavement. I suggets three things before you judge people and start hurling abuse:

1. Try cycling on the roads of Reading for four or more weeks. I guarantee you will be run off the road several times, receive verbal abuse from pedestrains and drivers, and will feel the wing mirror of one in 10 vehicles brush passed your handle bars.

2. Look at the statistics for pedestrains being killed by cyclists, and then check the statistics for cyclists killed on the roads.

If everyone was a litle more polite and considerate I would not feel I had to write this, but I am sick and tired of being forced off the road, off the pavement, and off cycle lanes by drivers and pedestrains alike.

A few months ago a white van pulled out of a junction into my path (I was on the road at the time). He had seen me coming, but couldn’t be bothered to wait. Thirty seconds later as I continued my journey (on the road) a pedestrian decided to cross the road, without looking and walked right into my path. I am not sure how we avoided a collision, but miraculously we did.

Last week I was told several days by a gentleman, ‘this is a pavement’. I might add that the pavement to which he was referring to is wide enough for five to six people (footpath by Reading Prison) to comfortably walk along. I was cycling on the side nearest the road as I believe pedestrians should have the safety of the inside of the footpath. He deliberatly walked from one side of the path to the other in order for me to have to stop and go round.

I understand his frustration, perhaps he has had a previous frightening incident with a cyclist. So I thought yes I would use the roads and cycle paths the following day as I did not fancy running into the same gentleman again, and being reprimanded.

So September 3, 2010 I was cycling through the Market Place, Reading, on the road in broad daylight, a bright sunny day (still wearing a fluorescent vest, I may add), a young woman (who did not look before she crossed) stepped right in front of me “ I said “watch out”, and, luckily, she did step back. But she did get scratched with my cycle bag.

I turned to ask “Are you ok?” She half nodded, but the man she was with started shouting f****** nonce, you f****** nonce.”

The women grabbed his wrist and said, “don’t".

I did not stop to find out what he would have liked to do to me, but was certainly very worried that I may have broken some law by carrying on my ride home. I did not stop because I am quite sure the man would have punched me.

These types of incidents are a daily occurance, which is why on particular streets I choose to use the path, as some roads are far too dangerous.

Until our councils learn from other European countries I am sure there will be other incidents like these. Cyclists need cycle lanes away from traffic, but the government, in their infinite wisdom decide to incorporate most cycle lane with bus lanes. This does not make any sense as buses are one of the most dangerous vehicles to motorbikes and cyclists.

Cycle lanes along towpaths are only safe if a lot of people use them and in daylight hours.

Combination cycle/footpaths do not work because pedestrians do not look where they are going and cyclists have to take evasive action. I do realise that there are also very inconsiderate cyclists who do not slow down or give way.

Maybe I am in the minority of cyclists who are considerate and give way to pedestrians, and I never go through red lights. So why do I get all this abuse when I am not putting pedestrians in danger.

As I prepare for my ride home each day I now develop a knot in my stomach and ask myself should I use the road? Hoping it will not be the day when I am run off it.

Should I use the footpath? Giving way to pedestrians, but still receiving verbal abuse.

Or should I use the limited cycle lanes? Avoiding inconsiderate pedestrians as I ride and still receiving abuse.

I used to enjoy my commute to and from work, but now it has become an ordeal.

(Name and address supplied)

This letter appeared in Reading Chronicle 09 Sep 10

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