Cyclists must demonstrate they can ride responsibly

Mar 22 2012 by John Ralph, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

So Phil Folly wants to organise another demonstration if cyclists are still barred from Chesham High Street (Cyclists demand safer routes, Examiner March 15).

Perhaps the action they should take is to demonstrate that they can ride responsibly without causing danger to others.

Too many people cycle along the High Street without a care in the world as to what danger they are posing to pedestrians.

I have even seen someone cycling with two dogs on leads at breakneck speed along the street.

A man who works at the job centre rides at great speed along Red Lion Street every weekday morning.

I have been hit by a cyclist riding at full pelt along the pavement at the roundabout at the Red Lion Street/Amy Lane junction.

My wife has been hit by a cyclist on the High Street.

I see one couple who always seem to dismount and push their bikes along the High Street. If they can do it, why can’t the others.

There is a sign at each end of High Street which is a red circle on a white background with a bicycle in the middle of it. The last time I looked at the Highway Code this meant ‘no cycling’.

Why do cyclists think the laws of the land do not apply to them?

When some degree of responsibility is shown by the vast majority of cyclists then maybe we can think of allowing some minor concessions. Until such time, I do not believe they have much of a bargaining position.

JOHN RALPH

Berkeley Avenue

Chesham