Crowded prom too busy for bikes

Cyclists already disregard the few “no cycling” signs and ride along the seafront in an unrestricted, willy-nilly fashion. I walk along the front most days and would expect what we have now is pretty much the pattern of cycle traffic we would get if the bylaw were removed.

The Promenade gets very crowded during summer weekends, and at the moment pedestrians, cyclists and also the train, which travels backwards and forwards during the summer months, all jostle with each other for space.

On one occasion I saw a sports cyclist travelling quite fast along the sea front, weaving in and out of people. it was heavily congested at the time, and he very nearly collided with a little child, with possibly disastrous consequences.

The Gazette story (January 27) says when it is too overcrowded to ride, cyclists will tend to dismount and continue on foot. I have not found this to be the case. Cyclists nearly always, in my experience, expect the pedestrian to give way.

When it is crowded it is not always easy to dodge to the side to avoid a cyclist.

I also find it particularly disconcerting to be walking along the seafront, and have cyclists approach silently from the rear.

I would like to have cycling banned completely, but failing that I would like to suggest a designated cycle path, as there is in Worthing, east of the pier. I have walked along this many times and it works well. The cycle path is marked clearly and is a different colour to the pedestrian path, making it easy to see, and seems to be quite safe.

I share Derek Wilkins’ concern (Gazette letters, February 3) that not enough time or publicity is being given to this proposal.

Patrick Mason

The Martlets, Rustington