Free helmets should be issued to walkers!
SO, NOW thousands of pounds of local taxpayers' money has been wasted on an experiment to see how well cyclists and pedestrians "mingle" with each other on Worthing's promenade.
Apart from the far better uses that this money could have been put to (repairing potholes, for example), I object to the defacement of Worthing prom and the loss of a safe facility for pedestrians.
We are told that cycling is healthy - well, walking is healthier.
We are told that cyclists should be cautious and not speed - well, they do speed and they frequently have headphones on so they are oblivious to what goes on around them.
We are told that the area will be robustly policed - by whom?
Health and safety campaigns prevent our children from playing conkers or having snowball fights, parents are not permitted to photograph their own children in public, and yet allowing cycling on the prom (something that has already been proved to be extremely dangerous) is encouraged.
Has the world gone completely mad?
Last Saturday morning, to enjoy a stroll in safety, I spent about 15 minutes walking along the beach footpath to the west of Worthing prom. This is a narrow path which is supposed to be a cycle free area, but I encountered three cyclists in that brief period.
Even when challenged, they made no attempt to dismount. What about clear signage and robust policing of the by-laws to ensure the walkers are protected in this area?
It's all well and good issuing cyclists with free bells, what about issuing pedestrians with free helmets and knee pads?
Better still let's keep the promenade for what it was designed for - walking.
R Lindeck
North Lancing
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
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