Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Crackdown to stop city centre cyclists
Transport chiefs are vowing to change unenforceable signs in an effort to prevent cyclists riding through the city centre during pedestrian hours.
The blue advisory notices will be changed to white and red regulatory signs, meaning they can be properly enforced by police.
Kent County Council confirmed the move on Tuesday just two days after a mother walking with her child fell to the ground to avoid a cyclist speeding along St Peter’s Street.
Debbie Barwick, owner of the Revivals clothes store in St Peter’s Street, has been leading a campaign for the white and red signs to be installed.
She said: “There are bikes whizzing up and down the road all the time during the pedestrian hours.
“On Sunday, the woman only just managed to avoid getting hit, but ended up falling over. The cyclist didn’t bother stopping and just rode off.
“We’ve had a few people knocked and one a few years ago suffered a serious head injury
“One of the problems has been that the sign at the end of St Peter’s Street is just a blue advisory one, when in fact it should be a red and white regulatory one pointing out that vehicles are generally banned.
“It’s good news that the county council has listened to our concerns and is making the necessary changes.”
Vehicle use is banned in the city centre between 10.30am and 4pm, but the sign outside Barretts at the foot of St Peter’s Street wrongly states that the hours are 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Cllr David Hirst, Ukip leader on the city council, says the incorrect signs have encouraged cyclists to ignore the vehicle ban.
“This latest incident was a most dreadful accident,” Cllr Hirst said.
“I understand that people want to use their bikes and enjoy cycling, but if they are going to cause injury to other people than that is unreasonable.”
Kent County Council spokesman Thom Morris said: “We are concerned to hear of the recent incident in St Peter’s Street related to a cyclist and understand the concerns from local traders.
“We have recently provided additional signs to advise cyclists to dismount during the pedestrian zone times.
“Following discussions with Canterbury City Council, further changes to some of these signs will be carried out to enable the police to fully utilise their enforcement powers.”
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