Canal Towpath - some sanity please

[rycro1]

Much as I welcome folk getting on their bikes, I am very concerned about a percentage of irresponsible bike riders using the tow-path in order to enter the Chester city centre.

As a walker, I have encountered cyclists travelling at ridiculous speeds, not sounding bells etc. Firstly I would point out that cyclists without a valid BWB permit (British Waterways Board), should not be using the towpath other than the clearly marked areas. I feel you must encourage your members to obtain the necessary permit before cycling the towpath (unmarked areas)

Secondly - can you encourage a code of conduct e.g.
slowing down, stopping if necessary when approaching walkers. This is not just for the walkers safety but also the cyclists. Walkers may be walking dogs, may be elderly, may have hearing/vision difficulties, accompanying children, not offering abuse to walkers - yes it happens, all common sense really.

Happy, sensible, safe and courteous cycling to all cyclists and walkers alike

[PaulBreak the ice]

Sadly like motorists and doggy walkers, who choose the canal towpath to empty their dogs of their food, there are poor skils in the cyclist comunity, just perhaps if the writer walked to one side of the path, told every dog walker to keep his dog under control, watched as they cleaned up the dog mess, and told inconsiderate and stupid car drivers to slow down and not to park on the pavement, then we wopuld have an equal cycletrack/towpath.

As for the BWB cycling permit, who is going to actually enforce this, and how.

[Nicola]

www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/cycling/permit

www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/shropshire-union-canal/cycling

I found the following information on the British Waterways site.

"Before cycling on some towpaths owned by British Waterways, you will usually need to obtain a free cycle permit. This includes most canals.

You can download a FREE British Waterways permit as a PDF file. You are agreeing to follow the Waterways Code, and to cycle only on those stretches of towpath classified as open to cyclists."

I downloaded one, its very very basic!

[chestercycling]

The best way to deal with this is to lobby for changes to the main road network to accommodate cycling, as in The Netherlands and Denmark. This will mean that transportation cyclists aren't displaced from the road onto the tow-path by the speed, volume and proximity of motor vehicles.