AN ‘EPIDEMIC’ of reckless cycling in the town centre which ‘scared the bejesus’ out of an Observer reader could be tackled by Rugby Borough Council (RBC).
Having received a number of complaints on the issue, a task group of councillors has recommended introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to crack down on cyclists causing ‘nuisance, alarm, harassment or distress’ in pedestrianised areas.
The move is backed by Rugbeian Simon Wickes, who told The Observer he had nearly been knocked down on three occasions in the last two months.
He said: “There’s a spate of people – usually teenagers or people in their early 20s – riding bicycles very recklessly in the pedestrian ways around the town centre, and it seems to be getting worse.”
He said the worst instance was when eight teenage boys rode towards him at ‘terrific speed’.
“Eight bikes coming towards you – how do you get out of that?” he said. “One of them pulled a wheelie right in front of me so he had no control, he couldn’t steer, and he hadn’t even noticed I was there.
“The only way I could deal with it was to curl myself up into a ball and be prepared for the collision. He went past me with about half an inch to spare – with lots of laughing and joking, because I was absolutely scared to bejesus.
“This is the third time this has happened, and I’ve seen elderly people actually being bumped into. Someone’s going to get hurt.”
PSPOs are used by councils to prohibit ‘nuisance behaviour’. A number are already in force in Rugby to deal with issues such as street drinking and dog fouling.
A PSPO to tackle reckless cycling has been recommended by the council’s PSPO Scrutiny Sub-Group following a public consultation.
The group’s report said it was satisfied the problem was of ‘a persistent or continuing nature and that these activities are unreasonable and justify the restrictions imposed by this order’.
The group quoted Bedford Borough Council, which said its similar legislation ‘represents an opportunity to put the victim first and reassure the community the issues are being taken seriously,’ and would ‘enable all enforcing officers to have more power to deal with cycling restrictions’.
Prosecutions for persistently breaching other PSPOs can result in fines of up to £1,000.
If approved by RBC’s cabinet, the PSPO would also have to be agreed by Warwickshire County Council – which is responsibile for roads – because the pedestrianised area of the town centre is officially a highway and is open to vehicles from 4pm to 10am.
The proposed PSPO would then be subject to a public consultation and could be adopted by the autumn.
