The Isle of Wight Council has made moves to say that it doesn’t support plans for the banning of cyclists on the Sandown to Shanklin after discussions around protecting other revetment users.
As first reported by Island Echo, proposals to ban people from cycling between the 2 seaside towns have been discussed as part of the Revetment Working Group established between the Isle of Wight Council and the parish councils of Lake, Sandown and Shanklin.
Now, the Isle of Wight Council has issued some reassurance that it does not support such a move.
However, Islanders are being reminded that the revetment is primarily a coastal defence that has the community benefit of a promenade to provide access to the beaches and commercial activities. Council officials are advising all users to be aware of each other and show consideration when travelling along the promenade.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the local authority has said:
“A working group has been established between the Isle of Wight Council and the parish councils of Lake, Sandown & Shanklin. This working group has been set up to look at a range of improvements that could be made to the Revetment to allow for it to be enjoyed safely by all users, including cyclists.”
“Discussions are being held with the working group on the best way to reconcile any pedestrian and cyclist concerns. The Isle of Wight Council does not support banning cyclists from using the Revetment and will not be implementing a cycling ban.”
Chair of Sandown Town Council, Councillor Paddy Lightfoot, has confirmed that this was also the position of Sandown Town Council. He said:
“We do not support any proposal to ban cycling on the revetment, we support retaining the shared space. Not all councillors are in agreement but the Council’s position is clear.”
So this “working group” consisting of the main council and Sandown and Shanklin councils is just a complete waste of time, as usual with anything to do with the council.
Then they should be sued to the maximum when an accident happens. For long gone are the days of all being polite, careful cyclists, now speed, electric bikes and louts do as they please.
Should have banned them all.
Same with drivers, it’s time to prosecute the murders whether it’s a knife, car or bike.
These working groups just end up pissing people off, because they feel they have to make big changes to show that they’re doing something.
Too right too, to ban all cyclists for the wrong doings of a few is not a prudent and fair way to move our society forward
Well it needs a good clean up. The recent cliff falls were barely shovelled off, leaving swathes of slippery mud which is now compacted.
Not rocket science to deal with is it?
The Isle of Wight Council don’t support Sandown full stop…!!!
Very true, you can see that by the state of so many eyesore Hotels
that make Sandown look like it was blitzed overnight and the rubble was
never cleared up.
Sandown is not a good advert for Tourism.
All the eyesore derelict buildings in Sandown should be compulsory
purchased and made good.
Why should shoddy owners make it bad for other business owners in
Sandown!
I wonder what the councils thoughts are on 15 minute cities.
What does it matter? Banned or not, cyclists ignore all rules anyway
Very true so do most motorists.
I call the Island Dodge City.
Yeah, trying to dodge the wobbly cyclists
They dd when they were banned before – that’s why the council removed the ban.
If cyclists were more considerate, it wouldn’t be a problem. Riding at speed, coming up from behind with no warning bell and expecting walkers, especially the elderly and children, to be aware and get out of the way is why we have a discourse over using the revetment. It was not that many years ago that cyclists were banned, so it’s not something new being asked for.
If pedestrians were more considerate and stopped walking 5 abreast and meandering all over the place, it might help. By the way, the revetment is neither a road or a footpath so it is open for all to use, including horses.
Are you sure? I don’t think it’s a bridle way or BOTA, just a shared use cycle track.
Maybe they should stop beach-hut and cafe owners from spreading across the revetment
It’s called bottle necking. Businesses block some of the highway to slow people, it annoys 100% of people, but if 1% of the people decide to buy something it’s worth it for them.
The “working group” is not a decision making body, it should report back to the relevant Town and Parish Councils with an assessment of the facts and recommendations that the three Bay Councils can support or reject. There has been no report back to Shanklin Town Council, so how can they be purporting to represent the views of the Bay Councils?
Someone appears to be mischief making!
Well if the town and parish councils don’t support a ban, there will be no ban, so stop having pointless meetings. It would be far more useful if instead of making statements, the council gave logically reasoned arguments why they do not support a ban.
Because it’s a major part of cycle infrastructure connectivity. Banning it would push the inexperienced cyclists, children, OAPs onto a major road. Major roads are OK for advanced cyclists, but they kill other cyclists. Would you want your children riding on that road? Your grandparents?
Not sure how the council think that suggesting that users “be aware of each other and show consideration” will protect them from any compensation claims when the inevitable accident occurs as a result of their decision.
Why would the council be responsible if an incident happens with a bike? They aren’t when they happen with cars.
As usual the discussion is hijacked by people who are blatantly just anit-cycling. Yes, there are inconsiderate cyclists, yes there are inconsiderate pedestrians. Tolerance and consideration of others is the way forward. Not just promoting bigotted entrenched ages old prejudices