The approaching warmer weather has reminded me about the ridiculous no cycling policy that exists along most of Bournemouth’s promenade during July and August between the hours of 10am and 6pm. As far as I can make out, it exists solely to protect the children of beach hut users when they rush from the huts to the beach, or vice versa, ignoring anything in between. Don’t get me wrong, I would not want to spoil their enjoyment of the beach, but is it really too much to ask that the parents take responsibility for their own genetic material and teach them some basic safety?
The usual argument used by proponents of this cycling ban is that there are a minority of cyclists who race along the promenade, weaving between pedestrians in a dangerous manner. Unfortunately, this is true. However, to ban all cycling for this reason is as absurd as banning all traffic because a minority of drivers act in a dangerous manner by speeding in residential areas. You do not ban, you take steps to modify and control the behaviour of that minority. The irony is that a land train operates along the promenade in the summer, which would obviously do a lot more damage than a bicycle to any pedestrian that it came into contact with.
If you have ever been to Bournemouth, you will know that the promenade is quite wide. In fact, there is ample room for a cycle path. There are some pavements in Bournemouth that are designated for joint pedestrian and cycle use that are wholly inadequate for the purpose. It defies belief that a small portion of the promenade width cannot be set aside for cycling, which is a healthy and enjoyable way both to exercise and to enjoy the coast, particularly in summer.
The beach hut lobby must be powerful. In addition to spoiling the enjoyment of many people, they also manage to spill out onto the wide promenade with all the extra paraphenalia they bring with them to the huts. Tables, parasols, chairs and loungers spread across the promenade, often occupying a good third of the promenade width. Aha! Now I know why they don’t want a cycle path.
Oddly enough, many beach hut users do not seem to see the irony in letting their children ride their bikes outside the beach huts, or to play ball games, which are explicitly prohibited in the promenade bye-laws. These infringements seem to go unchallenged, but woebetide the mounted cyclist. There are patrols out to stop them, measure their speed, and try to fine them. All this for attempting an activity that has been actively encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle, and as an alternative to using the car for short journeys.
Thanks Bournemouth council, see you at the next local elections…