Pedestrians should respect cyclists too (From Salisbury Journal)

Pedestrians should respect cyclists too

2:07pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in Letters

IN response to the letter from Iris Finn (Postbag, September 6) – Scene: the path behind Waitrose next to the river.

Characters: student (on a bike) heading between the two grammar schools; Woman on a phone, on the cycle path; Two friends walking and talking, on the cycle path; Mum with three or four unruly children (the mum is the only one on the pedestrian side).

Extras: sensible pedestrians keeping to their assigned side of the path; I am sure everyone can see what will happen next. The student is in a rush to get to her next lesson, situated on the other side of town, but is impeded by a number of obstacles, who refuse to move out of any cyclist’s way even when a bell has been politely rung and all of the signs inform the pedestrians that this is a shared path.

The operative word being shared, meaning that the pedestrians are not above cyclists. The behaviour of pedestrians is appalling when they refuse to move for cyclists or react angrily when a cyclist is forced to use the pedestrian side as they have been pushed off the cycle path by pedestrians.

I for one believe that the needs of other users should be respected, even if that other user happens to be a cyclist.

BLYTHE CHESWORTH, Salisbury

 

 I HAVE got the perfect answer to Salisbury’s road problems.

Why don’t we let cyclists, mobility scooters and cars use the pavements, after all cars already use the pavements to park on.

Then let the people use the roads to walk on. There you are – problem solved.

R REARDON, Salisbury