Cyclists become more proficient with rules of the road

A recent campaign by Royal Borough community wardens and police community support officers, aimed at educating cyclists not to cycle in pedestrian areas, has been declared a success.

Over the week (Monday 15 to Friday 19 November), five fixed penalty notices were issued and four young people under the age of 16 were educated about the dangers of cycling in a pedestrian area.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for highways and streetcare, said: "The majority of cyclists in the Royal Borough are very sensible and know not to cycle in pedestrian areas.

"I am pleased the community wardens and their colleagues in the police are taking a proactive approach and issuing fixed penalty notices and guidance where and when appropriate. This is all about education - we want the area safe for all, for cyclists, pedestrians and especially the elderly, young children and mums or dads with prams.

"Cyclists must realise the rules of the road apply to them. As a keen cycling family, I get very concerned when a small minority of cyclists think the regulations don't apply to them and don't care for the safety of the other path and road users."

Grant Hing, the community warden behind the scheme, said: "As the community warden for Maidenhead town centre, I often see people cycling in pedestrianised sections in the town which is not permitted and is very dangerous.

"Cycling offences are dealt with by the police and police community support officers (PCSOs), so together we launched an operation to enforce and educate those who continue to cycle in pedestrian areas. During the week, the PCSOs issued five Fixed Penalty Notices (£30) and we educated a number of young people under the age of 16 about the dangers to themselves and those around them of cycling in a pedestrian area.

"While this operation was only for a week, the police will continue to enforce and we will continue to challenge and stop people to promote safe cycling. It is important that we all play our part and dismount from our bikes in pedestrian areas."

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