Royal Park traffic ban just speeds up the cyclists, say walkers

A ROW has erupted at one of London’s Royal Parks as walkers claim cyclists are using a provisional ban on cars to race at high speeds.

Hundreds of cyclists have been flocking to Richmond Park, particularly at the weekend, ahead of permanent restrictions on through traffic in many of London’s green spaces.

But rows have broken out on social media between cyclists and other park users, claiming there are near misses and that it’s a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

One walker, Gary Matharu, complained on Twitter about “cyclists racing as if there life depends on it”, while another complained that “every road and path on Richmond Park is dangerous due to the high number of idiots who think they’re elite athletes … and then try to break some imaginary cycling land speed record”.

A London taxi driver said: “It’s now been basically taken over by sports cyclists who regard anyone else on the road in there as an unwelcome irritant.”

Even cyclists have expressed some embarrassment at fellow riders.

Tom Bradley said on Twitter: “I’m a cyclist and I’ve witnessed some appalling road behaviour from other cyclists particularly in Richmond Park.”

But many park users have welcomed moves to limit cars. Ian Beable, the winner of the Ironman Switzerland 2017, wrote on Twitter: “The traffic jams recently have been insane. Richmond Park could be the one place in London the roads are for cyclists only!”

Royal Parks says it will “eliminate cycling in non-permitted areas and reduce conflicts between cyclists and walkers” by promoting the priority of pedestrian users and targeting “negative behaviours” by cyclists.

The Royal Parks charity says its proposed ban on motorists driving through will increase safety for all park users, reduce the impact of vehicle-based traffic and “reduce conflict between different users”.