Cyclists risk £30 fines as police mount patrols on Leicester's New Walk

“Well spotted PinkFruitcake but to be fair how otherwise do you catch a cyclist going down hill unless you have wings and our police ain't angels”

“...hang on - are the police who are patrolling, using bikes??? as per the picture? Um, forgive me but isn't that a little... well I don't want to use the word but, "hypocritical"?”

“Mobility scooters quite rightly have regulators to keep them below 4mph when using pavement and I believe this to be legal requirement even though many are capable of twice this speed. I know this can be over ridden when used on roads but if all cyclist and for that matter vehicles when if they must use the pavements ensured they did so they may find they would be better tolerated. This would ultimate be of benefit to them as the main course of complaint is basically one of selfishness and downright stupidity of those that misuse the pavement.”

“Instead of worrying about the cyclists, maybe the number of cars (and buses) that jump red lights on london road and the charles street junction, or those that go at 40-50 and then slam their brakes on for the speed camera at the victoria park end. Whilst cycling on the pavement is illegal, cycling on the road is lethal. Cars and buses don't give a t*** about cyclists.”

“To the question of are the police officers breaking the law chasing law breakers on cycles - no more so when speeding after a fleeing car from a robbery or entering a building to trap a burglar. No one objects to these acts as they are seen as more serious crimes. I am also sure that there will not be a day in day out presence but a stern period of enforcement followed by sporadic spot checking of the area.
Particularly on the downhill areas, some of the cycles are able to achieve speeds of 30mph, this being the average speed limit on a road should we open New Walk for all traffic?
Finally as this area was always intended to be and dedicated to pedestrian use, it in my opinion should remain so. To the cyclists who consider the roads 'too dangerous', there are alternatives such as buses, walking etc. Before you say this increases the time of your journey, thats precisely why I drive or take the bus when I am pressed for time. I also often think to myself that the roads are dangerous and I therefore avoid the worst of them or deal with dangers as they appear, I do not decide to mount the pavement and cause a danger to others to minimise the danger to myself.
It is the small infractions of the law that gradual build a feeling the law does not apply to me and I can do as I want, leading to greater law breaking and loss of society thinking.”

“One of the problems with these, and pavement, cyclists is that a significant number are riding under the influence and are thus likely to cause accidents.”

“V in Leics: the no-cycling rule on New Walk isn't an unfair regulation. It's been in place for 200 years allowing everyone in Leicester to stroll along a very pleasant thoroughfare without worrying about being knocked over by a bicycle (or horse, in the old days). Cyclists still have at least three perfectly good and safe ways to enter the City Centre from that direction: London Road (which is *safe*), Regent Road (which is *safe*) or pushing their bike along New Walk.

A rule isn't "unfair" just because it prevents you doing something that's convenient but antisocial. What would be unfair would be the people of Leicester giving up this wonderful facility just to make life mildly easier for lazy, inconsiderate cyclists.

Also, a one-metre wide lane wouldn't be wide enough for a single bike, let along for two to pass. And why would the antisocial idiots who think it's okay to ignore no-cycling signs suddenly start obeying a rule that said you could only cycle on one part of New Walk (which is full of people all weekend and throughout the school holidays, as well as morning, evenings and lunchtimes).”

“I meant subjective, obviously!”

“"Surly a 'real criminal' doesn't need defining, disobeying unfair laws and regulations voted for by politicians (whom many of us have never elected into power) is a human right and should be treated as such IMO."

But surely you realise that the concept of an "unfair law" is entirely objective? I see the drug laws of this country as being unfair, yet fully agree with the fox hunting ban, yet others would hold views which are the polar opposite of mine.

Ps what have you got against buglers? Who would play the Last Post at funerals if they were locked up?”

“Surly a 'real criminal' doesn't need defining, disobeying unfair laws and regulations voted for by politicians (whom many of us have never elected into power) is a human right and should be treated as such IMO. Murderer's, rapists, pedophiles, muggers, buglers, baby snatchers, wife beaters, chavs, drug dealers & bankers are seemingly becoming less and less of a police priority in the hunt for easy targets. 4 Officers to guard New walk from CYCLISTS!?!? damn, they must feel like they've had a hard days work /s

New walk is easily big enough to spray paint a meter wide cycle lane, so much for the green city haha

If you seriously want people to obey regulations such as this, the people need to feel their is a just reason to do so i.e very narrow paths, no lighting, lots of young/elderly/disabled people. New walk is open, well lit, and the majority of the time nearly empty. Sticking a 4 man patrol to watch New walk for a month or two wont change anything, wake up and add a cycle lane, its more than big enough to accommodate both.”