It's time to end this mad free-for-all at the Clock Tower

“I agree with wayne65 that inattentive pedestrians can also be a danger to those on two wheels but, as has been said on countless other threads discussing this issue, the main threat to public safety in `shared use' city centre zones comes from thoughtless and reckless cyclists.

F. Leathers is right - something should be done. But that doesn't mean banning all cyclists from motor traffic-free areas. What's needed is a cultural change.

Bringing that about will take time and will require a carrot-and-stick approach with public information and road safety campaigns coupled with much more effective enforcement
(and not just on New Walk).”

“Just don't spend the money in the first place!”

“There is a misconception in the lead in to this article.How dare the idea of asking count von count pete be anything to consider?He SAYS.Thats it.
Muppets sit and scratch in silence.”

“@GrahamLE8. Totally accept what you say, however, we can only speak from personal experience. I use New Walk fairly often and have never had a 'near miss' but find you almost literally take your life in your hands around the Clock Tower which isn't even a proper 'route', it is an area specifically for shoppers to dawdle and meander. Have to say most of the manic cyclists are under 20 or thereabouts.”

“@ karinfall1955; I have to disagree in part - (some) cyclists are definitely a danger on New Walk - they are not all travelling away from the city, many cycle downhill towards town, especially around late afternoon/early evening when on the stretch between Holy Cross and King Street there are a number of pinch points caused by pub furniture narrowing the thoroughfare, offices are emptying and children are being collected from the nurseries.
I have been almost struck 5 times just over the summer, and have seen numerous other 'near misses' happen too.

I've said before, I've no problem with cyclists generally (I'm one myself frequently), but there's a hard core of nutters who are making being a pedestrian in some areas of Leicester very risky...”

“For goodness sake, cyclists on New Walk are travelling in a straight line and it is impossible to speed OUT of the city centre because it is uphill all the way! Cyclists dodging and weaving at speed between shoppers and people gathering to have a chat in the vicinity of the Clock Tower are totally unwelcome. Regardless of what is and isn't allowed and the prevailing signage common sense is needed. Cyclists are a damn sight more welcome going up and down New Walk than they are sending people flying on Gallowtree Gate.”

“roundthehorne... I agree but if anyone suggests a clamp down on illegal cycling activity (as there was in New Walk a while ago) there follows torrent of letters complaining about victimisation or misuse of police time, or worse a campaign to allow cycling in these areas.”

“No, the point being missed is that these areas are specifically designated as areas where cycling is allowed, as shown by clear road signage. Nor are there any notices forbidding skateboards, roller-skates, rollerblades, scooters or pogo-sticks, which are therefore also allowed, just as they are on any pavement or path.

Let's concentrate on the cyclists who break the law and create danger for others by riding on pavements, New Walk etc where the signage expressly forbids their presence, rather than demonising cyclists riding in a clearly marked cycling zone.”

“I think the point that is being missed is that pedestrian areas are not just for getting from A-B as quickly as possible but are meeting places and areas for folk to gather and to rest, especially around the clock tower. Traffic of ANY kind is at the very least a nuisance.”

“Cycling, skateboarding and scooter riding. None of these activities can be deemed as being pedestrian, so why is it that some folk seem to think it is alright to do these things in a pedestrianised area?

Apart from disability scooters, cyclists, skateboarders and scooterists should either walk with their machines or avoid using them in those zones. What is so difficult?!!”