Cycling on the footpath
Sir,—The debate on whether children under 12 years of age should be allowed to cycle on footpaths appears to be futile, as many cyclists, both young and old, are already engaged in this dangerous practice. Footpaths traditionally are for pedestrians, and if cyclists are in danger on the roads lack of any road sense would appear to be the cause. Perhaps our educationists should make this part of their curriculum for the benefit of all. — Yours, etc., JACK McGUIGAN. October 19, 1984.
Sir,—Because our footpaths are under-used and most car-drivers have no apparent desire to keep left, preferring instead to stick to the middle of the road, would it not be far safer for everyone involved if a continuous white line was painted
approximately 2 metres out from the kerb on all roads, to the left of which all cyclists could be kept (Cranford Street’s “rural stretch” would be a good example). Then cars could be allowed to be halfparked on footpaths. There would then be a far lesser hazard to pedestrians and children would be able to use the roads in comparitive safety. Cars are parked on footpaths in France. — Yours, etc., ■ COLIN HOUSTON. October 20, 1984.
Sir,—Just when I believed that some sanity was again entering everyday life some idiot comes up with an idea of allowing children to ride bicycles on the footpath. Can it really be true that the thought is the brain child of the Ministry of Transport? Or is it a ruse in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare for the non-lowering of national superannuation — just get rid of the superannuitants by fright of injury. It only means the transfer of acccidehts from the roadway to the footpath, and will involve a far greater number of people. However, it will save insurance companies having to pay out for car involvement. I can see no merit in the idea, but I can see a host of difficulties, not the least being the child’s false sense of security on the footpath. — Yours, etc., A. S. HELM. October 19, 1984.
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Press, 22 October 1984, Page 12
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348Cycling on the footpath Press, 22 October 1984, Page 12
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