CycleWight has contacted the Isle of Wight Council with a list of ideas to make it easier for people to keep a social distance while walking and cycling as regulations linked to lockdown are relaxed.
More people are walking and cycling than normal due to the lockdown restrictions. The benefits are easy to see: quieter, cleaner air, less congestion and more people taking part in active travel with all of its associated benefits.
All indications are that social distancing is likely to be a part of our lives for some time to come. In many places on the Island, social distancing is already difficult with narrow footways and cycleways making it difficult for people to exercise safely and in a socially responsible way.
With this in mind, CycleWight has been in touch with the local authority with some key ideas to make it easier to socially distance once lockdown is over. Ideas include removing some parking places to give more room to pedestrians in shopping streets; exclude cars where roads are narrow (such as Little London), to make some roads 20mph to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians and keeping footpaths/cycle tracks cut back.
Cyclewight say that the initial response from the council has been positive but the group feel that there is a need for swift action so any decisions made will have time to be in place before regulations are relaxed.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the Isle of Wight Council has just adopted its Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which provides many ideas on routes and paths.
Removing parking places would suit cyclists and pedestrians but what about people with Blue Badges.Are they expected to struggle to walk further.Perhaps i cycleweight could also educate some, I repeat some, cyclists to be a bit more tolerate on walkways when passing walkers.
Just because someone is apparently disabled by having a blue badge doesn’t give them an automatic free pass to pollute the atmosphere with exhaust emissions more than others do.
Why the hell should I have to put up with the foul stench of someones exhaust fumes outside a shop entrance, as I enter or exit the shop, just because someone gets to park so close to the shop, they are practically in it.
Only electric vehicles should be able to be parked close to store entrances, to reduce the impact of emissions on those walking in and out. All petrol or diesel engines should be parked elsewhere, with all shopping areas, as pedestrian/cycle or electric only.
and no, I do not own a bike or electric car.
Tell you what Cyclewight.
When cyclists pay road tax and carry insurance (along with some form of visible identification), them, just maybe then more people might be a bit more supportive.
Unfortunately it does seem to many that cyclists are always after more and more, but do not make any direct contribution to costs!
It’s just people riding bikes calm down Hitler
Road tax was abolished years ago Frank, you are taxed on your vehicle emissions. The maintenance of the countries roads are paid through income tax, council tax contributions. So the vast majority of cyclists pay their way thank you very much.Many cyclists, myself included have insurance and with regards to identification, how do you suggest our underfunded/overworked police force would go about policing this?If you’re going to come on here and spout nonsense please arm yourself with facts, not fury.
I’m a keen cyclist but I would rather focus on raising awareness of social distancing on bikes rather than messing around with roads, which are likely to have knock-on impacts. Shared paths should be the main priority for Cyclewight.
Aren’t footpaths/ footways for pedestrians only? The clue being the name of the path.
Maybe the cyclists could keep the paths cut back.
Trouble is, it isn’t possible to maintain the requisite 2m separation on footpaths or cycle tracks when passing, or for that matter on most pavements. Cycle tracks are a particular problem with energetic panting and throwing perspiration in all directions