One of the consequences of the lockdown combined with this long period of warm and dry weather has been a big increase in the number of cyclists on the roads, and this looks set to be encouraged in the coming weeks. Whilst many cyclists are experienced and often drive themselves, some are new to cycling, or returning to cycling on the roads after not cycling for many years.

So drivers, please consider this and always give cyclists extra room. Don’t pass too closely.

In addition, we have seen an increase in the number of cyclists using the main carriageway of the 50MPH sections of Marine Drive and the Coastal Road. Cyclists have even been seen on this road unlit section of road at night.

A cycle path runs the entire length of Marine Drive and the Coastal Road from Ainsdale to The Plough Roundabout. It has been provided specifically to segregate cyclists from vehicles on the main carriageway, to reduce risk to all users of the road and improve safety. Cyclists who fail to use the cycle path pose an unnecessary danger to themselves and other road users.

This is, therefore, an appeal to all cyclists, irrespective of your experience level, where a cycle path is provided for your safety and the safety of other road users please, always use it.

If you do not wish to use the cycle path, please find a safer, alternative route to using the 50MPH road sections in particular.

Please remember, this road is often used by emergency service vehicles responding to 999 calls between Southport and Ainsdale, Formby and Hightown. The same applies to the Formby By-Pass. Please always use the cycle path.

Thank you for your co-operation with this and helping make the roads safer for all.

It would seem to be sensible advice but I would also add the cyclists need to be just as careful on the cycle path, because it is not just a cycle path. It is a joint cycle & footpath, and considering that hardly any cyclist either have or use a bell on their bikes anyone walking on the foot/cyclepath is in danger. If a cyclist comes up behind you, at speed, the first thing you know about them being there is as they skim past you with inches to spare.

The problem with cycle paths is they are rarely swept, they often have broken glass and litter that has been discarded from passing cars and in rural areas farmers cut hedges but never clear up leaving cycle paths covered in sharp twigs which cause punctures.

Originally Posted by Kafoozalum

It would seem to be sensible advice but I would also add the cyclists need to be just as careful on the cycle path, because it is not just a cycle path. It is a joint cycle & footpath, and considering that hardly any cyclist either have or use a bell on their bikes anyone walking on the foot/cyclepath is in danger. If a cyclist comes up behind you, at speed, the first thing you know about them being there is as they skim past you with inches to spare.

Presume you're referring to the stretch between Birkdale and Ainsdale.
Surely it would make sense for pedestrians, particularly those who walk along with headphones who are unable to hear a cycle bell,to walk along the gravel part alongside the cycle path or walk along the pathway that goes through the dunes.
They wouldn't walk along the road with headphones on so why do it on a cycle path? It's not wide enough to be a shared path

oh dear, here we go again..
I'll make it simple:
If cyclists are mixing with 50mph+ traffic rather than using the designated paths, that might just tell you something about the condition of those paths.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

Presume you're referring to the stretch between Birkdale and Ainsdale.
Surely it would make sense for pedestrians, particularly those who walk along with headphones who are unable to hear a cycle bell,to walk along the gravel part alongside the cycle path or walk along the pathway that goes through the dunes.
They wouldn't walk along the road with headphones on so why do it on a cycle path? It's not wide enough to be a shared path

I think that stretch of the Coast road is a cycle track and there is a separate footpath some 10 yards into the sand dunes, where there are shared areas they are normally marked cycles to the left and pedestrians to the right (or vice versa)

Originally Posted by dans77b

oh dear, here we go again..
I'll make it simple:
If cyclists are mixing with 50mph+ traffic rather than using the designated paths, that might just tell you something about the condition of those paths.

It's a strange person who chooses the heightened risk of a fatal collision with a high speed vehicle over the risk of a puncture.

I use the cycle paths for free and I am grateful.

People not using the cycle paths should have their cycles confiscated they give us cyclsts a bad name.

Originally Posted by Kafoozalum

It is a joint cycle & footpath, and considering that hardly any cyclist either have or use a bell on their bikes .

By Law any cycle MUST have a bell fitted,to warn people around them that a cyclist is close to the pedestrians when approaching,especially when a cyclist is on,or crossing over a pavement,and why do we see so many cyclists using their bikes while NOT even wearing any form of cycle helmet ?

Another question that I am asking while on the subject of cyclists....The wearing of Hi-Vis clothing while using their cycles during the late hours of the day.

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

By Law any cycle MUST have a bell fitted,to warn people around them that a cyclist is close to the pedestrians when approaching,especially when a cyclist is on,or crossing over a pavement,and why do we see so many cyclists using their bikes while NOT even wearing any form of cycle helmet ?

Another question that I am asking while on the subject of cyclists....The wearing of Hi-Vis clothing while using their cycles during the late hours of the day.

I don’t get the reasoning, but the Law states that a bell must be fitted when the bike is sold, but doesn’t require it to remain fitted, after that it’s a recommendation in the Highway Code, as are helmets and Hi-Viz clothing.

Unfortunately, common sense isn’t a legal requirement.

Never mind appealing to stupid people for doing stupid things, if there is a cycle lane next to a main carriageway then it should be law that cyclists use it. After all the cost and fuss about making them the Lycra bunch and other fools cry about a few twigs on them, wah wah a thorn might pop my tyres, ooh they not maintained so I’ll ride in the middle carriageway then I can pretend I am a super racing bicycle man and if anything hits me and squashes me dead like a turd it will be their fault as I have as much right to be here as any car .

Yea should be law.

They should think themselves lucky that they only have to worry about the odd twig & thorn, my drive to work is like a series of chicanes avoiding bloody great potholes! good luck to any cyclist hitting one of those.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

Presume you're referring to the stretch between Birkdale and Ainsdale.
Surely it would make sense for pedestrians, particularly those who walk along with headphones who are unable to hear a cycle bell,to walk along the gravel part alongside the cycle path or walk along the pathway that goes through the dunes.
They wouldn't walk along the road with headphones on so why do it on a cycle path? It's not wide enough to be a shared path

I was particularly thinking of town to Crossens on the coast road.

[QUOTE=MICK/GILLY;6727353]Never mind!!
Couldn't agree more!! My old racing bike was far too light for the modern roads. So bought a 'proper' go anywhere bike!! Still get the same exercise all these years later on our perfectly acceptable cycle paths, dune & forest tracks and the beach!! The lycra loons should be legally forced to use the paths like the rest of us 'responsible' cyclists!! I for one am fed up with their constant whining. If you were paying road tax for your bike I could understand it! You're not so buy an appropriate bike for the miles of facilities at our 'gratis' disposal you Muppets......

Originally Posted by gsgsgs

They should think themselves lucky that they only have to worry about the odd twig & thorn, my drive to work is like a series of chicanes avoiding bloody great potholes! good luck to any cyclist hitting one of those.

It's not the odd thorn or twig around Banks its a big problem, it's cost me a fortune getting the grandkids bikes repaired, when they trim the hedges they should have to clear up afterwards.

Originally Posted by Kafoozalum

I was particularly thinking of town to Crossens on the coast road.

From town to the old sand plant area the path is on the beach and after the sand plant it on the other side of the road.