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Cyclists could be fined £1,000 for riding in pedestrian zones in Mansfield

Cycling in pedestrianised areas said to be ‘a long-standing problem’

A new order coming into effect at the start of August could see cyclists fined up to £1,000 for riding through Mansfield town centre. The public spaces protection order (PSPO) was unanimously backed by all 31 councillors present at a recent Mansfield District Council meeting.

Mansfield Chad reports that the legislation also covers spitting, smoking in children's play areas and a ban on the supply of legal highs. Dogs must also put their dog on a lead when instructed to do so and owners are obliged to carry poo bags.

Councillor Mick Barton, portfolio holder for public protection, said that the new powers would enable the council to tackle such issues and make Mansfield a more welcoming place

“We want people to feel safe and secure in Mansfield and we believe the vast majority of people will be supportive of these measures and will abide by them. The issue of people riding their bicycles in the pedestrianised areas in Mansfield has been a long-standing problem, with complaints raised by members of the public and market traders.”

Council wardens will be able to issue £100 fixed penalty notices and if the offender is taken to court, they could be hit with a fine of up to £1,000.

There will be a three month ‘grace period’ where new powers are being introduced during which police and wardens will warn offenders rather than issuing a fine.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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15 comments

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Wolfshade | 7 years ago
1 like

[quote} Dogs must also put their dog on a lead when instructed to do so and owners are obliged to carry poo bags.[/quote]

What happens if the dog not on a lead doesn't have a dog to do it?

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Paul_C replied to Wolfshade | 7 years ago
0 likes
Wolfshade wrote:

[quote} Dogs must also put their dog on a lead when instructed to do so and owners are obliged to carry poo bags.

What happens if the dog not on a lead doesn't have a dog to do it?

[/quote]

self walking dog?

http://imgur.com/gallery/QsK4Is7

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Spike64 | 7 years ago
2 likes

Oh dear!! I hope the same £1000 threatened fine also applies to the numerous other types of vehicles including council road sweepers, market trader vans, delivery drivers  that regularly drive up and down the pedestrianised areas otherwise as a cyclist I feel a discrimination challenge forthcoming!!   As a resident  of Mansfield I will be submitting a Freedom of Information request to the local council to determine how many complaints they have had. I couldn't agree more with the comments already posted complimenting the Dutch on their excellent cycling infrastructure and the relationships between cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

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Metaphor | 7 years ago
1 like

Boycott Mansfield.

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124g | 7 years ago
1 like

Like a previous poster I have recently toured the Netherlands, to say I was impressed is a vast understatement  they really do make us look like we live in the medieval period. 

 

Their cycle networks are are simply stunning I have never cycled anywhere as well constructed / designed and safe. The Dutch also have an obvious love for all things cycling I was amazed at vehicles giving way to me on some routes.  I accept we will never have such a network but what we do need to do is think outside the box what the cycling uk quango should be doing is lobbying to have all paths trails as multi use (cycles and pedestrians). I am sure I'm not alone when I slow down if I see folk walking on a bridal way or similar route. 

Adopting this approach will enhance what we have at the stroke of a pen, it would also encourage more folk to try cycling. I have lost count of folk who say to me I would cycle but it's not safe on the road, sadly they aren't far of the mark. My own count for nearly being taken out is approaching double figures and I consider myself a confident cyclist. 

Doing what this council have done is not an answer it's just their version of  cash cow speed cameras. 

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burtthebike replied to 124g | 7 years ago
3 likes

124g wrote:

Their cycle networks are are simply stunning I have never cycled anywhere as well constructed / designed and safe. The Dutch also have an obvious love for all things cycling I was amazed at vehicles giving way to me on some routes.  I accept we will never have such a network....

No!  Don't accept that, fight tooth and nail to achieve it here.  The Dutch traffic system was the mirror image of ours in the 1960s, completely car dominated and dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.  It didn't change to what they have today by people accepting the situation, they had to change it.

Never accept what is clearly wrong.  It's the people who tell you that things can't change, who just shrug their shoulders and give up who are wrong, not the people fighting for better conditions.

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burtthebike | 7 years ago
4 likes

I'd love to know how they justify such an incredibly high punishment for riding a bike in a pedestrian zone, when you would be fined less than a tenth of that if you drove you car there.

Has there been a slaughter of pedestrians mown down by rampaging cyclists?  Is there any evidence that cyclists actually pose a serious risk, serious enough to warrant a £1k fine?  Cross Mansfield off the list of civilised places.

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SL1D3R | 7 years ago
5 likes

As we all know it's about £80 for a cyclist hunting license and that gives you free reign to slaughter then. However if you are seen doing this you may be fined £200 for leaving the carcass in the road or strewn across the pavement. Remember if your hunting cyclists remember to pick up your litter

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Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
4 likes

£1000 for jaywalking would be nice if this is the direction things are going in. Pedestrians don't give a fuck about walking in front of bikes, whereas they are usually a bit more cautious about wandering on front of cars.

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brooksby | 7 years ago
1 like

Well I hope they'll invest in good signage to distinguish shared-use from pedestrianised, otherwise people might look at this as a revenue generation scheme...

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Grahamd | 7 years ago
8 likes

And yet the car/lorry driver that drives in a cycle lane or parks in a cycle lane, let alone kills a cyclist in a cylce lane gets fined what? 

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handlebarcam | 7 years ago
14 likes

£1000 for cycling in a pedestrian zone? In North Wales you can paralyse 12.5 cyclists for that!

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tourdelound replied to handlebarcam | 7 years ago
6 likes

handlebarcam wrote:

£1000 for cycling in a pedestrian zone? In North Wales you can paralyse 12.5 cyclists for that!

Absolutely..... Or, you could crush a cyclist to death under the wheels of your tipper truck in London - FOR FREE!..... http://road.cc/content/news/199217-law-firm-challenge-decision-not-prose...

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brakesmadly | 7 years ago
3 likes

Having just returned from Amsterdam I'm now convinced the UK is coming at this from the wrong direction. Legalise pavement cycling and the ire goes away, since the perceived 'ownership' is removed. 

It hacks me off that we're 2nd class (at best) on the road since motorists don't think we should be there, but take to the pavement (or often the shared path even!) and peds don't think we should be there either.  If we could fly I bet that would be wrong too!

Logically which is the closest relationship - bikes and people, or bikes and cars? So put them together.

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tritecommentbot | 7 years ago
6 likes

100 beer tokens for riding your bike.

May as well slap a councillor in the process, get your money's worth.

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