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Cyclists push for right to ride through footstreets
11:42am Thursday 8th May 2008
A CYCLING campaigner called today for cyclists to be allowed to pedal along some of York city centre's pedestrianised streets.
Paul Hepworth, of the North Yorkshire branch of the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), said there should be an experimental period of 24/7 cycling along Fossgate and other streets which might be turned into car-free footstreets.
"We would also like options to be examined for 24/7 cycling on selected cross city routes, where this helps avoid significant detours along busier peripheral roads," he said.
"Colliergate comes to mind, as a logical continuation of the route along St Andrewgate.
Mr Hepworth was speaking after The Press revealed on Tuesday that a major review of the city's footstreets was about to start, which would look at extending them to new streets such as Fossgate and Micklegate, but also examine other matters such as operating hours and allowing cyclists to pedal through from west to east, and from east to west.
Coun Ann Reid, City of York Council's executive member for city strategy, said it would be beneficial to cyclists, but pedestrians might be concerned about dangers.
Mr Hepworth said that Cycling England, an offshoot of the Department for Transport which issued advice to local authorities on a range of issues, had claimed that cycling through restricted areas should be the rule rather than the exception.
"Where this is not appropriate, consideration should be given to allowing access to cyclists outside of the busiest pedestrian hours," he said.
"Especially, it suggests that 24/7 cycling is permitted for an experimental period of, for example, six months after motor vehicle bans are introduced, to fully test their advice in affected streets."
He said that when cars were first banned in Deangate some years ago, cyclists were included in the ban but were then allowed to cycle through.
He said: "If the present city centre vehicle restricted zone is extended, the CTC would like to see a full and fair test of the Cycling England advice, by an experimental period of 24/7 cycling, along Fossgate and other affected streets."
He said that in Cambridge, cycling had been reintroduced in 2005 on selected streets after a blanket ban in the city for some years.
"The Government's Transport Research Laboratory carried out extensive research in the UK, and also in mainland European cities where city centre cycle and pedestrian mixes are far more commonplace than in the UK," he said.
"Their 2003 publication, Cycling In Vehicle Restricted Areas, established that cyclists alter their behaviour according to the density of pedestrian traffic by modifying their speed or dismounting.
"Furthermore, the evidence of the case studies contained within the report shows that very few collisions actually occur between cyclists and pedestrians."
Your Say YourPress
SilverSurfer, Surfing says...
11:59am Thu 8 May 08
tonesview, york says...
12:01pm Thu 8 May 08
Brian, york says...
12:07pm Thu 8 May 08
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
12:13pm Thu 8 May 08
Brian wrote:They'd hear me, Iv got a bell!!!
The result would be a spate of accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians, as pedestrians would not here the cyclists aproaching.
Redr, york says...
12:14pm Thu 8 May 08
Milton, York says...
12:16pm Thu 8 May 08
Paul Hepworth, York says...
12:21pm Thu 8 May 08
Redr wrote:...feel free to participate in the public consultation Redr. We are in a democracy. Please bear in mind that if a door to desk journey time by bike is faster than by car, then we may encourage more motorists to voluntarily switch to pedal power.
I cycle nearly every day and nothing annoys me more than other cyclists ignoring red lights, failing to signal and riding on pavements. When you reach the pedestrianised zone get off your bike lock it up and walk, its not that difficult. Stop giving all cyclists a bad name and please Mr. Hepworth dont assume you speak for us all.
Mike C, york says...
12:22pm Thu 8 May 08
So, much as I'd like to be able to cycle the footstreets, the answer has to be not until CYC has taken up its delegated powers and the police start getting tough (not a one-day "crackdown").
Hawker, Home says...
12:24pm Thu 8 May 08
"Furthermore, the evidence of the case studies contained within the report shows that very few collisions actually occur between cyclists and pedestrians."Which shows the very reason why it should not be allowed. Why not just get off and walk like everyone else does in a pedestrian area?
Mister Sheen, Right round the house says...
12:26pm Thu 8 May 08
Redr wrote:Yeah, sorry Paul, I agree with the above. I don't want to run the risk of cycling through a lart part of the city centre in case I hit someone when it was their fault and the hit with a claim for compy. It's not too hard riding around the periphery and then leaving the bike and walking inwards.
I cycle nearly every day and nothing annoys me more than other cyclists ignoring red lights, failing to signal and riding on pavements. When you reach the pedestrianised zone get off your bike lock it up and walk, its not that difficult. Stop giving all cyclists a bad name and please Mr. Hepworth dont assume you speak for us all.
Agree though that one or two key roads could be left open.
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
12:35pm Thu 8 May 08
Redr wrote:Come on, thats one of the main reasons I cycle, if you do the same route every day you know the light an when its okay to jump them, also lots of street have lights which are red but its perfectly safe for a bike to go round the corner just not a car, seperate cycle lanes would be handy for this reason
I cycle nearly every day and nothing annoys me more than other cyclists ignoring red lights, failing to signal and riding on pavements. When you reach the pedestrianised zone get off your bike lock it up and walk, its not that difficult. Stop giving all cyclists a bad name and please Mr. Hepworth dont assume you speak for us all.
Jackanory, York says...
12:36pm Thu 8 May 08
A, says...
12:39pm Thu 8 May 08
Peachy4, york says...
12:40pm Thu 8 May 08
Chumpy69, York says...
12:54pm Thu 8 May 08
A CYCLING campaigner called today for cyclists to be allowed to pedal along some of York city centre's pedestrianised streets.Pedestrianised Area's are there for a reason... why change it now
bjc, York says...
12:55pm Thu 8 May 08
Paul Hepworth wrote:
Redr wrote: I cycle nearly every day and nothing annoys me more than other cyclists ignoring red lights, failing to signal and riding on pavements. When you reach the pedestrianised zone get off your bike lock it up and walk, its not that difficult. Stop giving all cyclists a bad name and please Mr. Hepworth dont assume you speak for us all....feel free to participate in the public consultation Redr. We are in a democracy. Please bear in mind that if a door to desk journey time by bike is faster than by car, then we may encourage more motorists to voluntarily switch to pedal power.
Mr Hepworth said that Cycling England, an offshoot of the Department for Transport which issued advice to local authorities on a range of issues, had claimed that cycling through restricted areas should be the rule rather than the exception.
Just as when Foot and Mouth was last present in this county?
A large group of organised cyclists ignored my pleas not to go through the gate ( with warning signs and tape) of the Cycle Track in my village. There are farms and livestock bordering this route but this selfish bunch just pedalled on ignoring the very real risk of spreading that revolting disease.
I agree totally with Redr.
Pedestrianised zones enable people to move around safely, particularly in busy areas, why should a cyclist be allowed to hurtle through?!
Mr Hepworth, your missionary zeal in the name of cycling belies the fact that you think the rules shouldn't apply to you... Well tough.
Jason, says...
1:15pm Thu 8 May 08
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
1:25pm Thu 8 May 08
Jason wrote:They'd prob get more support if they had a different spokesperson, I'l put myself forward!!
CTC needs to shed its image of beardy weirdies before they represent me as a cyclist.
jim, york says...
1:32pm Thu 8 May 08
Cycling is the most efficent form of transport, so what's the problem with having to travel a few hundred yards further? If it's a question of safety, what happens when you get to the end of a footstreet and mix with the traffic again?
Even if a door to desk journey time by bike is faster than by car few motorists would switch - speed isn't the only consideration.
Mike C, york says...
1:35pm Thu 8 May 08
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
1:46pm Thu 8 May 08
Mike C wrote:Lol, I dont know what you mean!!!
The Crack Fox: please tell me that was toungue in cheek. Otherwise, don't you see the constant trickle of complaints about lawless cyclists? This then backfires on me when drivers treat cyclists with careless contempt. Do you see the connection?
X, At Work says...
1:57pm Thu 8 May 08
I don't think i will be listened to though.
avidreader, York says...
2:07pm Thu 8 May 08
Mac, York says...
2:19pm Thu 8 May 08
Paul Hepworth, York says...
2:19pm Thu 8 May 08
avidreader wrote:Depends on whether I'm riding to work, or for leisure.
I always imagined Paul Hepworth to look like a serious cyclist, complete with proper gear with the latest racer bike - how funny that he looks more like a middle aged anorak with a woman's cycle. Just shows how wrong you can be sometimes!!
Visit http://www.cyclingen
gland.co.uk/document
s/A.07.pdf to read the formal advice give to Local Authorities on shared cyclist/pedestrian space.
Keith, York says...
2:24pm Thu 8 May 08
The Crack Fox wrote:You are a bell...
Brian wrote: The result would be a spate of accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians, as pedestrians would not here the cyclists aproaching.They'd hear me, Iv got a bell!!!
avidreader, York says...
2:26pm Thu 8 May 08
Paul Hepworth wrote:I've seen enough already thanks without visiting boring cycling websites...
avidreader wrote: I always imagined Paul Hepworth to look like a serious cyclist, complete with proper gear with the latest racer bike - how funny that he looks more like a middle aged anorak with a woman's cycle. Just shows how wrong you can be sometimes!!Depends on whether I'm riding to work, or for leisure. Visit http://www.cyclingen gland.co.uk/document s/A.07.pdf to read the formal advice give to Local Authorities on shared cyclist/pedestrian space.
Guy Fawkes, Bootham says...
2:27pm Thu 8 May 08
The Dutch should know a thing or two about bicycle use, and have arrived at the conclusion that bikes and pedestrians sharing the same strip of tarmac is too dangerous to allow. So if Mr. Hepworth's idea has been proven not to work in Amsterdam or Utrecht or Roosendaal, could he explain why it would do in York?
Lamplighter, says...
2:47pm Thu 8 May 08
Mister Sheen wrote:Well surely there would be a cycle lane clearly marked out?
Redr wrote: I cycle nearly every day and nothing annoys me more than other cyclists ignoring red lights, failing to signal and riding on pavements. When you reach the pedestrianised zone get off your bike lock it up and walk, its not that difficult. Stop giving all cyclists a bad name and please Mr. Hepworth dont assume you speak for us all.Yeah, sorry Paul, I agree with the above. I don't want to run the risk of cycling through a lart part of the city centre in case I hit someone when it was their fault and the hit with a claim for compy. It's not too hard riding around the periphery and then leaving the bike and walking inwards. Agree though that one or two key roads could be left open.
Lamplighter, says...
2:49pm Thu 8 May 08
Mike C wrote:Well said. I get fed up of being lumped in with irresponsible cyclists.
The Crack Fox: please tell me that was toungue in cheek. Otherwise, don't you see the constant trickle of complaints about lawless cyclists? This then backfires on me when drivers treat cyclists with careless contempt. Do you see the connection?
petethefeet, York says...
2:54pm Thu 8 May 08
Having said that, crossing town on the available routes is extremely dangerous on a cycle. So the poor old cyclist is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. So let's restrict the use of the vehicles instead of threatening the poor old pedestrians!
hustler, York says...
3:17pm Thu 8 May 08
petethefeet, York says...
3:20pm Thu 8 May 08
Paul Hepworth, York says...
3:53pm Thu 8 May 08
A user, Selby says...
4:12pm Thu 8 May 08
Barbara, York says...
4:25pm Thu 8 May 08
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
4:29pm Thu 8 May 08
Keith wrote:ha ha ha ha ha, one of the funniest comments about myself Iv ever read, thanks Keith!!
The Crack Fox wrote:You are a bell...Brian wrote: The result would be a spate of accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians, as pedestrians would not here the cyclists aproaching.They'd hear me, Iv got a bell!!!
Keith, York says...
4:42pm Thu 8 May 08
The Crack Fox wrote:Ha, I aim to please...!
Keith wrote:ha ha ha ha ha, one of the funniest comments about myself Iv ever read, thanks Keith!!The Crack Fox wrote:You are a bell...Brian wrote: The result would be a spate of accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians, as pedestrians would not here the cyclists aproaching.They'd hear me, Iv got a bell!!!
Peter, york says...
6:14pm Thu 8 May 08
Redr wrote:I'm a cyclist and I agree with your comment, the other thing that really annoys me is jaywalkers that step out without looking, cross the road in stupid places right next to pedestrian crossings, and take no notice of signals etc at crossings.
I cycle nearly every day and nothing annoys me more than other cyclists ignoring red lights, failing to signal and riding on pavements. When you reach the pedestrianised zone get off your bike lock it up and walk, its not that difficult. Stop giving all cyclists a bad name and please Mr. Hepworth dont assume you speak for us all.
With brain dead pedestrians, allowing cycling on pedestrian streets is a recipey for disaster.
Gromit, South Bank says...
6:21pm Thu 8 May 08
Peter, york says...
6:29pm Thu 8 May 08
Not to mention the car drivers who park or drive in the cycle lanes. To a car driver a cyclists life is worth nothing.
Agreed most motorists hav'nt a clue about what the highway code says about their responsibility to cyclists, yet they are the first critise cyclists when they break the highway code.
redjanet, york says...
7:06pm Thu 8 May 08
"ON YOUR BIKE"
redjanet, york says...
7:07pm Thu 8 May 08
"ON YOUR BIKE"
larkin, leeds says...
9:23pm Thu 8 May 08
I WANT TO SEE REGISTRATIONS ON ALL BIKES AS THEY DO IN HOLLAND AND A LICENCE CHARGE OF £80 A YEAR CHARGED PER BIKE ITS ONLY FAIR then as a bike rider you HAVE SOMETHING TO complain ABOUT as it is now you have nothing to complain about until then.
KEEP IT SHUT I am sick and tired reading all the crap you write
MR HEPWORTH!!
hustler, York says...
10:39pm Thu 8 May 08
Peter wrote:Let's get cyclists doing a theory and written test then, and have their machinery pass an MOT. And while we're at it, get them paying insurance as well. All law abiding motorists have to do all of these. To say "most motorists haven't got a clue about their responsibility to cyclists" is in my opinion, a bit rich. On a daily basis, I see numerous cyclists racing through red lights, taking to the footpath at speed, riding in the dark without lights etc etc. I bet they would be the first to criticise an innocent motorist if they were knocked off their cycle, even in circumstances that they were breaking the law.
Not to mention the car drivers who park or drive in the cycle lanes. To a car driver a cyclists life is worth nothing.Agreed most motorists hav'nt a clue about what the highway code says about their responsibility to cyclists, yet they are the first critise cyclists when they break the highway code.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not anti cycling. I just think that from my own observations, I witness cyclists breaking the highway code far more frequently around York than car drivers or motorcyclists.
Cynic, York says...
10:52pm Thu 8 May 08
What SHOULD be done is the clamp down on the many chavs who cycle everywhere with impunity, and the cars which shouldn't be in the pedestrian zone. I stood at the top of Colliergate eating a sandwich one day last week, and of the half-a-dozen-plus cars which passed not one had a disabled badge. At least one clearly contained tourists studying their map. Can they not read no-entry signs?
york_resident, York says...
6:09am Fri 9 May 08
Gromit, South Bank says...
6:59am Fri 9 May 08
1. There are approximately 33 million licensed vehicles in UK (source Office of National Statistics). Also 43% of people aged over 5 own a bicycle (source Department of Transport). (Roughly) that's around 20 million bicycles.
2. Vehicle Excise Duty for zero emission vehicles is currently £0. So a bicycle will cost £0.
3. Guestimating, it costs around £10 in admin/overhead costs for the DfT to issue a disk, even one that's not being charged for (that's even with modern computer systems). That's got to be paid for from somewhere. So the costs for issuing the disks for bicycles will have to be recouped by increasing the cost to other licensed vehicles. That'll put the cost up by about £6 each.
So, Mr Car Driver (which includes me) - if you want me to 'pay road tax' on my bicycle - it's going to cost you £6 a year for each of your vehicles to pay for it.
Do you still want me to have one? No, thought not.
I also drive an electric vehical around town picking up recycling, we don't have to pay road tax eather. As usual we get people overtaking without a care for their safety or anyone elses!
biggles, York says...
9:58am Fri 9 May 08
I wonder how Paul Hepworth will get around when and if his legs pack up.
Brian, york says...
11:13am Fri 9 May 08
larkin, leeds says...
11:29am Fri 9 May 08
Gromit wrote:Yes LICENCE BIKES £80 A YEAR THAT SHOULD COVER COSTS!
Ah, the old, old 'you don't pay road tax' comment. Here's a random thought on that one (some figures quoted are open to question, but you get the idea): 1. There are approximately 33 million licensed vehicles in UK (source Office of National Statistics). Also 43% of people aged over 5 own a bicycle (source Department of Transport). (Roughly) that's around 20 million bicycles. 2. Vehicle Excise Duty for zero emission vehicles is currently £0. So a bicycle will cost £0. 3. Guestimating, it costs around £10 in admin/overhead costs for the DfT to issue a disk, even one that's not being charged for (that's even with modern computer systems). That's got to be paid for from somewhere. So the costs for issuing the disks for bicycles will have to be recouped by increasing the cost to other licensed vehicles. That'll put the cost up by about £6 each. So, Mr Car Driver (which includes me) - if you want me to 'pay road tax' on my bicycle - it's going to cost you £6 a year for each of your vehicles to pay for it. Do you still want me to have one? No, thought not. I also drive an electric vehical around town picking up recycling, we don't have to pay road tax eather. As usual we get people overtaking without a care for their safety or anyone elses!
Why the heck should cyclists get away FREE when thousands are spent on tracks for them MAKE IT £100 A YEAR lets see them squirm come on lets all be equal why should a bike get a free use of our roads and some roads have been reduced to accomadate two wheels!
exYorkist, USA says...
2:40pm Fri 9 May 08
Cyclists want to be treated the same as motorists, i.e. same rights and considerations...but then they want to ride their bicycles down streets designated for pedestrians ONLY.
Hypocrites.
Jason, says...
3:49pm Fri 9 May 08
Gromit, South Bank says...
6:36am Sat 10 May 08
Gromit, South Bank says...
6:38am Sat 10 May 08
petethefeet, York says...
11:18pm Sat 10 May 08
We have far too many cars on our roads. We need some form of rationing. Perhaps 2 quid a litre will do that?
Dave McBridge, York says...
3:41am Mon 12 May 08
I do fulford - huntingdon in under 30mins without jumping any lights. Taking into account A19 and ring road traffic, taking the car might only save me 5 minutes.
Agreed, it's irritating to cycle in the rain/dark but for £3000 a year savings its a sacrifice i willingly make.
Taxing bikes is a stupid idea and impossible to police. How exactly are you going to fit a tax disc to a bike? where's the registration plate to match the tax disc to? what if i take the frame from one bike and the wheels from another. Do i pay 2 taxes then?
Seeing as CYC maintain most (all except a64 i believe) roads in york, i pay tax to upkeep roads and cycle paths in the form of council tax. Road tax only maintains motorways and trunk roads (and funds tony's war among other things no doubt).
Besides, oil prices ain't coming down and stocks are depleting. We've got to end our love affair with petrol within the next 100 years. Uncomfortable, but true.
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Paul Hepworth, who wants York's pedestrianised streets to be opened up to cyclists
SilverSurfer, Surfing says...
11:58am Thu 8 May 08