Village bans cyclists

[martinclive]

Hope someone is going to address the parking on the pavement that seems to be prevalent in the village.................

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.2...ns0x3ibhJUkDl8DfuKVg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.2...zvKg09PZQtI9hvcGDLcw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

 

[TheJDog]

but the basic statements/facts still stand.

Allegations, I would call them

 

[Globalti]

If it's any consolation to the inhabitants of Great Budworth, walkers and ramblers are suffering the same annoyance with a minority of yobbish mountain bikers. I mountain biked for 21 years and I still hang around on STW so I can tell you with certainty that many mountain bikers don't care a damn about riding on footpaths; there's a nod and a wink and the trail is described as "cheeky". Litter, noise, trail erosion, conflict with walkers are all a problem; I overheard a conversation recently between a bike shop owner and three more mature mountain bikers who were complaining about the bad attitude of some walkers and the shop owner's reply was: "Unfortunately there are people going out and buying mountain bikes who have no tradition or understanding of the countryside and whose sole interest is in blasting down trails as fast as possible."

 

[winjim]

I think any sort of mass cycling event would only exacerbate the situation. What's needed is a bit of diplomacy. The clubs who have received the letter should send representatives to the next parish council meeting. Wear normal clothes, not lycra, so the villagers can see that they are just regular people like them. Be prepared to take a bit of an ear bashing, even if it's not their fault, and then try to discuss the issues properly. Praise the village, invite the villagers to the club socials, condemn the behaviour of the reckless few and show them that their club is made up of safe and considerate people. Maybe try and get a few villagers out on a bike. Get to know each other.

Cooperation rather than confrontation I feel would be the best approach.

 

[Nibor]

there was a wink implied with the critical mass comment.

 

[winjim]

there was a wink implied with the critical mass comment.

I know .

 

[steveindenmark]

Again interesting that you focus on the single file, not the consideration bit

I will focus on anything you want. But at the moment, without some proof of hoardes of lycra clad riders relieving themselves in public places and shouting abuse at passers by, it is difficult to focus on anything but the style of riding.

How do you be considerate riding your bike through a town? You sit and pedal and try to keep out of the way of motorists and pedestrians. I can only assume that is what the cyclists are doing.

As for filling the coffee shop. I don't think that cyclists need to apologise for bringing business to the village.

If the touring motorcycles start calling in the village next week, somebody else will complain. If there is a road it will get used and that is just a fact.

I get dozens of bikes and motorbikes passing within a couple of metres of my front door, every day in good weather. Cavendish came by last year. I like it and if I didn't I would find somewhere else to live.

 

[Venod]

Wear normal clothes, not lycra, so the villagers can see that they are just regular people like them

I consider myself a regular person, I wear lycra on the bike because its designed for cycling, when I go running I wear running gear, when I played rugby I wore rugby kit, when I played squash it was squash kit, I am baffled by the disdain for lycra even some cyclist don't like it, for me its comfortable and if you don't like it thats OK but lets not label everyone who wears it a lout, and if I turned up at a parish councl meeting on my bike I would be wearing lycra.

 

[User33236]

Be sure to post some pictures of the boat lift, please.

Here's one I took of the boat lift when my cycling club went there a month or so ago. IIRC we were well behaved cycling through the village in question.

EDIT: Just checked Strava. we weren't over 20mph never mind 40.

 

[ianrauk]

'Cyclists urinating in the street'

What a load of rubbish.

 

[Globalti]

Yebbut there are quite a lot of porky cyclists who really shouldn't be wearing lycra! Not every cyclist has the trained physique of a professional!

 

[Venod]

Yebbut there are quite a lot of porky cyclists who really shouldn't be wearing lycra! Not every cyclist has the trained physique of a professional!

They are probably comfortable and are not bothered what others think, so whats the problem.

 

[User6179]

'Cyclists urinating in the street'

What a load of rubbish.

I was just cycling through the village and took a quick photo

 

[ianrauk]

I was just cycling through the village and took a quick photo

Bloody cyclists!

Don't let the Daily Heil see this as they will take it as gospel.

 

[Venod]

I was just cycling through the village and took a quick photo

At least they have numbers on to aid identification