Footpaths are for pedestrians, police urge
21 Jul 2010
Police are urging cyclists to make full use of cycle lanes and where these are shared with footpaths to only use the track intended for cycles. Following recent complaints from pedestrians across Northern Ireland, police say that riders must show more courtesy towards pedestrians, particularly older people, and those with disabilities.
Eager to promote safe and responsible cycling, Road Policing Inspector Davey McCausland said: “We have recently received complaints that some cyclists have been riding on footpaths and that some are travelling quite quickly and even ringing their bells in an attempt to have pedestrians jump out of their way. This is not acceptable,not least because the footpaths are for pedestrians and cyclists should not be using them, but because riders who use footpaths run a real risk of colliding with and injuring pedestrians.”
Inspector McCausland went on to offer the following safety advice for pedal cyclists:
*Keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear.
*Keep both feet on the pedals.
*Do not ride more than two abreast.
*Do not ride close behind another vehicle.
*Do not carry anything that will affect your balance or anything that might get tangled up in the wheels or chain.
*Do not carry passengers unless the bicycle has been built or adapted for this purpose.
*Do not ride a bicycle when under the influence of drink or drugs.
“Pedal cyclists should ideally wear something bright and ideally fluorescent and reflective so that they can be seen by motorists in daylight, and at night. A proper fitting safety helmet is also an essential piece of equipment that riders should wear on every journey.
“I would also urge motorists to be more aware of cyclists and particularly so on roads that do not have dedicated cycle lanes. Drivers should always afford riders plenty of room and should be prepared to slow down before overtaking.”
“Cyclists rarely come off best in traffic collisions with cars, and pedestrians seldom fair well when struck by a bicycle, so please put road safety first this summer,” concluded Inspector McCausland.
