Cyclists fined for riding in walk-only areas of town
PAIR WHO FLOUTED RULES TOLD TO PAY £450 EACH
TWO people caught cycling in Grimsby’s pedestrian zone have been handed fines of more than £450 each as North East Lincolnshire Council cracks down on antisocial behaviour.
The pair appeared before magistrates on February 5 for failing to pay fixed penalty fines for cycling in the town centre.
Cases against both of the defendants were proved in their absence. The pair were each fined £200 and were ordered to pay £226.04 costs and a £34 victim surcharge, with full payment to be made within 28 days. Two more cases were also heard, but were withdrawn or postponed and a third defendant, who had paid the FPN in full, had their case withdrawn.
A fourth defendant, who could not attend court due to COVID isolation, had their case postponed until April 30.
North East Lincolnshire Council said it has successfully prosecuted more than 40 people since November for cycling in a prohibited zone in breach of a Public Space Protection Order.
All the defendants had been issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice for cycling on Victoria Street. The fixed penalty notice is an alternative to prosecution and allows 14 days to pay.
The council warned that anyone who chooses not to pay a fine can be taken to court and prosecuted for the original offence of cycling in a prohibited zone.
A Public Space Protection Order was introduced in July 2019 banning people from cycling in the pedestrian area.
Councillor Ron Shepherd, cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “We will fine you if you put other people at risk by cycling in Grimsby’s pedestrian zone.
“Those who choose not to pay the £100 fixed penalty notice, find themselves facing a larger bill in court. I’m grateful to the courts for supporting our stance. “Shoppers, businesses and people working in the town centre often complain about nuisance cycling in the town centre.
“There’s no need to cycle in the pedestrian area – Bethlehem Street and Osborne Street are literally a few metres away and run parallel to it.” Officers from Local Authority Support carry out patrols and gather evidence which is passed on to Doncaster Council who issue the fixed penalties on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council.
North East Lincolnshire Council said it works closely with other organisations, including the police and local businesses, to enforce legislation and help keep the town centre safe. Private patrols for littering and dog fouling were introduced in November 2018, as part of an agreement with Doncaster Council.
Officers started issuing fines for cycling in the pedestrian area in July 2019.
As well as littering, dog control and cycling offences, officers can also enforce against smoking in commercial vehicles.