Calls to Lift Hove Seafront Cycle Ban (From The Argus)

Calls to Lift Hove Seafront Cycle Ban

3:30pm Friday 10th February 2012 in Community By Sarah Morgan

A petition to lift the cycling ban along Hove seafront will be presented to the council in March.

More than 150 people have signed the petition in a bid to remove the ban on cycling along the promenade between the Peace Statue and Hove Lawns.

Becky Reynolds, spokesperson for Bricycles, a Brighton and Hove district cycling group, was pleased that the petition is receiving attention.

Ms. Reynolds said: “Quite a number of cyclists would like to cycle near the sea where there is lots of room, less conflict with pedestrians and a nice view.”

The petition argues that the success of a similar trial along Worthing seafront shows lifting the ban could work in Hove.

Rob Fuller, a local resident who works for the UK’s largest cycling charity, CTC, said the area was more than wide enough for cyclists and pedestrians to share.

Mr. Fuller, a spokesperson for Brighton Mitre Cycling Club, said: “We would support anything which would let people cycle more.”

The petition will be presented to Brighton and Hove City Council on the 22nd March and referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Cabinet Members Meeting on March 27th.

Councillor Ian Davey, Cabinet Member for Transport and the Public Realm, said: “The byelaw which does not permit cycling on Hove Promenade was last reviewed twenty years ago and we welcome the request for a fresh look at the situation.”

Removing the ban could result in more accidents along the seafront.Young mother Emma Dawes, of Brunswick Square, said there would be more concern for child safety if the ban was lifted.

Ms. Dawes said: “It might be a bit of a nightmare.”

Ms. Reynolds, who campaigns with Bricycles for more cycle-friendly facilities across the city, said the risks on lifting the ban are likely to be minimal.

She said: “Risks to pedestrians are generally fewer than imagined, and need not be increased. Conflict with pedestrians, dogs, etc. happens already on the current cycle track on the footway.”

Resident David Kestell said that although pedestrian safety should be considered, the lack of repercussion upon breaking the ban rendered it unproductive.

Mr. Kestell said: “If you’re not going to enforce it, you might as well lift it.”

The harmony between pedestrians and cyclists on New Road, a shared space in Brighton city centre, supports the argument for a more relaxed approach to Hove’s seafront space.

Cllr. Davey said: “Neighbouring districts have recently relaxed seafront cycling access rules and we shall find out how this has worked elsewhere when considering whether changes are appropriate in Hove.”