Dawn patrols to catch cyclists who ride on pavements could happen in Holbeach after parish councillors voted to ask for a crackdown in the town.
Dawn patrols to catch cyclists who ride on pavements could happen in Holbeach after parish councillors voted to ask for a crackdown in the town.
A request for Operation Oatmeal, a controversial police initiative to improve road safety in Spalding, to be extended to Holbeach was agreed at a meeting on Monday.
Dozens of pavement cyclists, riders with defective bikes and other road users who flout the law have been given £30 fixed penalty notices and warnings about their actions.
Now councillors want a similar crackdown in Holbeach after complaints over cyclists in the town who are ignoring laws banning them from riding on pavements.
Coun Peter Savory said: “Perhaps the police in Holbeach should follow up on Spalding’s example because we’ve got a number of cyclists here who ride on pavements and I’ve nearly been hit a couple of times myself.
“They cycle along as if they own the pavement when it’s against the law, as well as a danger to children and elderly people who may not see them.
“Another problem is traffic lights in the town are totally ignored by a large number of cyclists and something needs to be done about it.”
* Operation Oatmeal was launched in March after cycling on pavements emerged as a major issue at both parish council and community policing panel meetings. Insp Jim Tyner, community policing inspector for Spalding, said: “After street drinking, the second most complained about community issue is cycling on the pavement. “I have always maintained that the focus should be on education, as well as enforcement, but when the message is not being heeded, issuing tickets is the appropriate response and Operation Oatmeal will be an ongoing initiative.”