Cyclists flout rules in Worcester High Street says Amos

Cllr Alan Amos condemned any plan to water down rules banning cyclists from riding through Worcester High Street, arguing the pedestrian zone protects disabled people, elderly people and children.

Several cyclists flouted the ban when Cllr Amos visited the city centre on Tuesday, weaving in and out of pedestrians, including women with push chairs and disabled people in mobility scooters.

Cllr Amos argues a proposal, made at a council meeting, to relax the ban to appease the 'cycling lobby' had left disabled people 'horrified'.

RULES: A sign in Worcester High Street makes it clear cyclists cannot ride through between 10am and 6pm (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

During his High Street visit, the county councillor for Bedwardine and city councillor for Lower Wick and Pitmaston challenged cyclists who broke the rules, reminding them 'you're not supposed to be cycling through here' but also thanked those who dismounted and pushed their bikes.

Since the proposal to relax the rules was put forward, Cllr Amos has sought assurances at full council that Worcestershire County Council had 'no plan or intention to rescind or amend the traffic regulation order banning moving vehicles (including cyclists) between 10am and 6pm'.

BAN: A cyclists rides through Worcester High Street on Tuesday, September 24 in contravention of the traffic order (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Amos said: “By definition, a pedestrianised zone is a safe and welcoming area where pedestrians can shop and walk because all moving vehicles, including cyclists, are banned.

"If you allow any moving vehicles into it, you no longer have a pedestrianised zone and the city centre shopping area will revert to a dangerous and unwelcoming place to be, especially for the elderly, those with hearing, visual, and physical disabilities, and young children. I have already been contacted by one disabled group objecting to this proposal.

RISKS: A cyclists riding through pedestrianised Worcester High Street in contravention of the rules (Image: Newsquest)

"As it is now, cyclists routinely flout the law. Because cyclists don’t have any identification, they continue to do so with impunity and never get caught. I and many others worked hard to extend the hours of the ban on moving vehicles to what they are today, and it has worked very well.

"So there is now absolutely no need whatsoever to change it just for the sake of a handful of lazy, selfish cyclists. There is no reason why they just cannot dismount at one end of the zone, push their bikes through, and remount at the other end, which would take no more than a few minutes. I always take the view that “if it ain’t bust, don’t fix it”. In this case, leave well alone.”

CLEAR: Signs make clear that Worcester High Street is a pedestrian zone (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

A spokesperson for Bike Worcester said: "Cllr Amos is chasing ghosts. The majority of paths where cycling is allowed are shared use with pedestrians, notably the riverside paths, the canal towpath, and paths in St Peters and Warndon Villages, all of which are much narrower than the city centre streets.

"Do we continue to force people using bikes to share space with large motorised vehicles, or do we take a best practice evidence-based approach and allow shared use walking / cycling on some of the streets in the city centre?

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"The current prohibition of bikes is a huge barrier to encouraging more people to make short journeys by bike. Bike Worcester isn't advocating to fully revoke the ban - it supports the Cabinet Member for Highways suggestion of reviewing the current scheme to improve road safety for everyone.

"If Cllr Amos was serious about road safety (or public health, or air pollution), he would focus time, energy and effort on the most significant cause of road danger (reckless, dangerous and inconsiderate driving) and stop talking about paper cuts whilst the County is on cycling-infrastructure life support.

"We seriously question Cllr Amos’ cogency: he constantly refers to people who propel themselves on two wheels as “lazy and selfish”. We have concerns about his ability to mount a coherent argument if this is the best he’s got."

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We value the opinion of all road users, including cyclists, and we will continue to work with them, and other residents and stakeholders to make the most of walking, wheeling and cycling opportunities in Worcester City and the wider county. I have been asked to look again at the Traffic Regulation Order that is currently in place, and will discuss any potential changes to it with the local county councillor.”