Speed Warning for Seafront Cyclists
Cyclists are being told to watch how fast they go in Dorset after a nine-year-old girl suffered the full impact of a speeding bicycle.
Scarlett Pledger was left with cuts and bruises after a man cycled into her at Branksome Chine in Poole.
The incident happened just days after seafront rangers used mobile speed cameras to catch 69 cyclists breaking a 10mph limit on the promenade of another Dorset town.
The cyclists were warned about the dangers of travelling too fast in Bournemouth by patrols on June 7, 8, 10 and 18.
Cyclists are only allowed to ride on the promenade before 10am and after 6pm in July and August in Bournemouth and neighbouring Poole.
If anyone is caught breaking the bylaw, they face a court summons and possible fine of up to £1,000. But officers have no power to punish anyone speeding along the promenade.
Scarlett's mother Lisa has now called for the bike ban to be extended so it starts from May following the incident last week.
Charmaine Andrews, seafront development officer at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: 'We received a large number of positive comments regarding this safety initiative and hope that it has raised awareness amongst cyclists of the dangers of speeding on the seafront, to both themselves and pedestrians.'
Copyright © Press Association 2009
Tim Beasley, Personal Injury Partner with Levenes Birmingham Office writes:-
This story illustrates the need to be careful when cycling and walking. All users of the highway have an equal right to use the highway and should look out for each other. It is not compulsory to take out liability insurance to ride a cycle, but cyclists might want to think about taking out insurance to protect themselves in the event of an accident like this as the pedestrian in this accident might have a claim against the cyclist.
Presumably Bournemouth Borough Council have no plans to submit a bid to hold a stage of the Tour de France!
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