AS CYCLISTS move their travel from the road onto the pavement members of the public are beginning to feel "unsafe".

Pauline Stainer who is a resident of Salisbury has experienced around seven incidents involving bikes on the pavement and is willing to start a petition or demonstration to prevent this from continuing in the city.

Ms Stainer from Wilton Road is "fed up" with cyclists choosing to ride their bikes on the pavement instead of the road, and believes it is causing "death on the pavement".

She added: "We should have some sort of enjoyment in our retirement but we don't because we're unable to walk on the path.

"You have to take your life into your hands. It's safer on the road, at least the cars stop."

The resident is prepared to stand in the road as part of a demonstration, already with around ten people supporting the idea.

Despite a survey conducted by Cars on Demand revealing Wiltshire has among one of the best driver and cyclist relationships in the UK, cyclists will "be a danger" to pedestrians if they continue using the pavement, added Ms Stainer.

According to Cycling UK, cycling on the pavement is an offence however it is up to the police whether to record a cyclist using the pavement as an offence or not.

Secretary of Cycling Opportunities Group for Salisbury (COGS), Margaret Wilmot said: "We are fortunate in Salisbury that there are various paths which cyclists can use away from the traffic – such as Town Path to Harnham, the Avon Valley path, and the Bishopdown Laverstock path.

"We are also fortunate to have various areas in Salisbury, such as the City Centre, where 20 mph zones have been put in place.

"COGS also advocate safety features such as advanced stop lines, which can help make cyclists more visible at junctions.

"Unfortunately there are still a number of roads in the Salisbury area – particularly ‘A’ roads with heavy volumes of traffic, including lorries - where there is no provision for cyclists.

"COGS don’t advocate cycling on pavements, but many people, particularly children and novice cyclists, do not feel confident or safe riding on our roads.

"If we are to encourage cycling, and the multiple benefits which it brings, we need to better understand the concerns and needs of people and provide adequate cycle provision for them."

Counsellor Jeremy Nettle said: "We are seeing an increase in cyclists using foot paths within the city even where there are designated cycle tracks, for example along Castle Road through Victoria Park.

"Salisbury City Council is keen to promote more cycling in Salisbury and recognises that cycling and pedestrians don’t mix.

"We are working with COGS to identify roads within the city that have low care to see if these one-way routes could be identified as possible two-way routes for cyclists, for example Queen Street."