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Victoria Square, Bolton (via StreetView)Bolton looking to ban cyclists from town centre
Bolton looks set to become the latest town to ban cyclists from certain areas. The council is currently consulting on whether to impose a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) targeting various activities which it deems to be anti-social in nature.
The Bolton News reports that a survey of Bolton shoppers revealed that some felt “hounded” as they crossed Victoria Square and that they were intimidated by, “drunks, druggies, skateboarders and cyclists.”
The council believes a PSPO would make the town centre safer and more appealing.
If the PSPO gets the go-ahead, prohibited activities would include consumption of alcohol in the street, begging, street trading, soliciting for money, use of amplifiers and use of bicycles.
The area from which bikes would be banned primarily centres on Victoria Square, extending up adjacent streets – although several other roads and squares are also included.
PSPOs have attracted a degree of controversy, in particular for how they lump cycling in with a number of anti-social acts.
Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns, said:
“Last December, the Home Office published new statutory guidance making it clear that PSPOs should only target the specific behaviour causing nuisance or harm, and not generic activities that are in themselves harmless.
“In Bolton, the Council aren’t targeting cyclists thought to be causing a danger or nuisance through the manner of their cycling, rather they’re seeking to prohibit cycling per se, criminalising the shift worker who cycles through the prohibited area at 4.00am with only the pigeons for company.
“Perhaps if the Council looked again at the guidance they might also spot that their proposed ban on skateboarding is also at odds with the guidance, which strongly advises against the banning of activities for young people, such as skateboarding.”
Other towns to have imposed PSPOs targeting cyclists include Bedford, Mansfield and Peterborough, where many cyclists have faced fines.
Earlier this month, we reported how the enforcement firm tasked with patrolling Peterborough had raked in £80,000 in fines for unauthorised cycling in just over a year as part of its contract with the council.
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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14 comments
What the council really need to do is just post some police in the area to sort out the people being knobs.
But they won't do that because it costs money - so they issue this 'ban' instead, which the knobs will just ignore anyway.
Bingo! We have a winner.
A visible police presence can bring other benefits as well as addressing the root problem of 'antisocial' roller-skaters or whatever the problem is. You're less likely to see other crimes taking place if you've got one or two friendly police patrolling the high street.
It seems like a lot of local councillors think that "riding a bike" (not in a dangerous fashion, as far as I can tell: just riding a bike _at all_) is on a par with drunk and disorderly, begging, thieving, and rowdiness. Not sure what that says about local councillors...
I live in Bolton, and I like Victoria Square. Not somewhere for a night out, but banning 'handing out leaflets' is not going to address that.
The consultation closes tonight - please get on there and rescue us from the anti-cycling UKIP nutters that make noise on the council. Much more valuable to comment on a consultation than bang on about it on here.
Nice to be bracketed in with druggies, drunks and beggars.
Seriously, hasn't anyone from the council read the guidance? Or do they just hate cyclists and want to ban them anyway?
Surely the same standard should be applied to pedestrians, some of whom are druggies, drunks and beggars, so using their logic, all pedestrians should be banned.
Meh, it’s only the tiniest bit of the town centre. It’s nearly all pedestrianised, so I can’t imagine any “cyclists” are going through there anyway.
Another case of anti social people on bikes ruining it for cyclists. Can't they do anything without penalising everyone?
Bolton's a shithole anyway, stay away from the town centre at all costs, it's one of the few places (High Wycombe included) that make Wrexham look posh.
How are they going to police this when Iron Man comes to town?
Know Bolton, High Wycombe and Wrexham well do you?
Yes, why? Do you?
Well said, and you can add Blackburn to the shithole list too.
High username to post content ratio
(I’ve never been to Shipley, but you can’t pass up an opportunity like that)
Just genuinely laughed as that was verbatim what went through my mind while reading the article.
To anyone unfamiliar the Bolton surrounding area is great for cycling
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