Streetlife

I agree Paul, I would cycle more if there were dedicated cycle lanes. I get quite nervous when cars go past me very close and faster than they should.

I'm with you too!  More cycle lanes = safer cycling = more cycling = healthy!

Not sure about making Sea Road one way though ...

Yep I'm with you, my family and me love biking but it is not safe in felixstowe! Come on council! Make sea rd one way and bring in a policy about how many times you can go up it to stop the kids in cars!

Maybe they should make Sea Road into a toll road.  If the laddoes want to show off their exhaust pipes to the tourists, then why shouldn't the residents make a profit?  We'd have to do Manor Terrace too, as it seems to have become a Time Trials track lately.

I agree there should be more cycle lanes in Felixstowe but cycling on the promenade is illegal, whether it's safer than the road is therefore irrelevant.

Our Grandson avoided by a whisker being hit by one inconsiderate numptie pedaling away. The cyclist expected us, only two people across, to move out of his way! There are notices at each entrance to the promenade advising no cycling allowed but they are, unfortunately, ambiguous. If the sign were a picture of a cycle with a diagonal line through it there would be no mistaking what it meant. But without enforcement and a fine people will continue to decide the law does not apply to them.

On a seperate note, it never ceases to amaze me the number of families cycling where the children are wearing helmets but the adults with them are not. I would love to hear one of the children ask a parent 'What age do I have to be before I don't need to wear a safety helmet either?'

Robin unfortunatly there are a few that have no respect for others but i think youll fibd pedestrians and drvers also have that attitude (my road put the way)its not just cyclists. however it is not ileagal to ride on the prom there is an old bylaw that allows it. Just goes to show how ignorent the council are towards pedestrians and cyclist. I gree the cyclist should have there own route but the prom is the safest for children to get one end to the other on a bike

It wouldn't be THAT difficult to paint a cycle lane down the length of the Prom. To be fair, I've never had an issue with cyclists - the things that worry me are families with two pushchairs - how on Earth they can take the whole width of the Prom is beyond me.  But they do, and don't they stare daggers if they have to avert their course to avoid pushing pedestrians into the hedge.

I agree with you but if cycling were allowed then the council wouldn't have put up a 'no cycling' sign. By the signs being there it must automatically superceed any other laws otherwise it wouldn't work when signs are erected for roadworks, diversions and other restrictions. This is a restriction. My only concern is it is a road sign but I guess they can be used elsewhere. See http://www.driving-test-success.com/uk-road-signs03.htm for the 'no cycling' sign I am referring to (for those who don't remember seeing it) ;o)

The promenade is just that, to promenade or walk, no cycling. Unfortunately I feel it may be impractical having a cycle lane on the promenade as the seats are on one side and it would be dangerous for cyclists if one were put on the beach side.

Children are allowed to cycle on pavements now purely as a result of the dangerous roads but not on the prom. I have nothing against cyclists, it is an excellent form of keep fit and because of motorists being allowed to go faster than 30mph the roads are dangerous for them. There should indeed be more cycle lanes or perhaps a cheaper option would be a blanket 20mph speed limit throughout the town - I'm sure this would be welcomed by the elderly too.

Typical moan,moan,moan ! Why not make a cycle lane on the prom ? Brighton and hastings have a designated cycle lane and it works fantastic ! Ime sure the coffin dodgers of this town are trying to destroy it compleatly !!! If its not the pier idea its the fun fair near the leisure center causing to much noise ! Why dont we just stop everyone going on the prom then it would be fair for everyone !!

@DannyB

I hear you.  And while we're at it, let's make Sea Road "motorised carts only".  Perhaps there should be signs on the A14 ... "You are now entering a No-Fun Zone"?

They could grade separate the high road by putting the cyclist on the large path that goes down from faulkners way on the easternside

Don't get me started on those electric things that go on the road and pavement at apparently any speed they like!

Then there's that bloke who lives down Thornton Road and has knocked over at least two people including an 8 year old girl at the bus stop in front of the rail station.

We call them "Hell's Grannies".  Pensioners gone bad.

Lol!

I am just about a pensioner but I have been unable to walk far due to M.E. since 1982.
Now I also have heart poblems - making walking even more problematical.
Last year a friend saw a mobility scooter (hereinafter called trolley) for sale for £100 and kindly bought it for me.
Suddenly life is bright again -
No more stuck in the house for days on end because I can't afford petrol for my car - and even if I can afford the petrol, since the pedestrianisation of Hamilton Road, I can't get parked close enough to the shops I want to go into.
I can get right to the door of any shop, bank or post office whenever I want to, not dependent on anyone - Independent again!! Wheeee!!
So please stop slagging off people on trolleys.
You have no idea what it is like to be below everyone's eye level - Like wheelchair users we become invisible.
I agree that some trolley riders are truly dire - but most of us are not and trying to avoid all the idiot pedestrians who leap out of shops, stop dead in the middle of the pavement without warning, stand blocking not only the pavement but the whole width of Hamilton Road having a chat .......
BUT - the most wonderful part of trolley riding for me is the number of people I end up stopping to have conversations with!!
After years of going everywhere by car, shut in my own little box, I had not realised how little I was interacting with my fellow humans.
Every day I meet really nice people - especially young men of the ages usually regarded as hooligan! I am greeted with a smile and a pleasant comment by so many people that it has really improved my daily life out of all recognition.
So - if you come across a trolley being driven by a red-haired lady with specs and a big smile - or whistling her head off, please say hello and stop for a chat if you have the time - Give me chance to change your mind about 'HELL'S GRANNIES'.
And remember, it could be you in a few year's time - I would never have believed years ago that my health would be as bad as it now is! The only problem with my trolley is that my top speed is only 6mph - just not quite fast enough for 'wheelies'

NOW - to the topic of this thread.

My 36 year old son goes everywhere by bike and has been knocked off several times by dozy drivers - but he and I both agree that the cycling ban on the prom should be enforced - AND - unlike most of you moaners I have phoned the council and gone to task about it - but it is down to the council based in Ipswich and 'frankly my dear' they don't give a damn.

I have pointed out to them that the no-cycling notices are pointless as they are between 10 and 12 feet above the ground and I know no cyclist on a penny-farthing these days!! Also there are no signs on the most frequently used accesses to the prom.

I have asked for just two things -

All the signs to be lowered to a height of between four and five feet to be on eye-level with cyclists.

The prom to be patrolled for a few weekends when Felixstowe is full of mad scyclists doing their best to kill as many pedestrians (and trolley-users) as they can in the shortest possible time.

Needless to say with no result.

Last Wednesday a family of two adults and four children were tearing down the prom putting all pedestrians in danger - Mummy and Daddy grinning broadly. Had I not avoided the little oik who was haring towards me at great speed while looking back over his shoulder .... guess who would have got the blame for a collision - the Hell's Granny of course!

So put your effort where your blogging is -

Decide where you want cycle lanes and lobby to get them
and
Make the council's life a misery until they do something about the problem on the prom.

It is no good just moaning - Do something - don't leave it all to this Hell's Granny!!

Pam I congratulate you on your post which I feel is both articulate and erudite.

There will naturally be a difference of opinion between various age groups but hopefully your blog allows the more able bodied to see the world from your shoes (or should that be wheels) and reflect accordingly.

To be honest Pam, there are nutters on bikes and nutters on trolleys.  There are also nutters in cars, vans and lorries.  There are also nutters on foot and pushing baby carriages. 

We wouldn't even be having this debate if everyone acted sensibly.  Sadly, the world is full of selfish, ignorant people who behave as if they will never have to accept responsibility for their actions.  They also seem to behave as if they are completely unaware of the consequences of their stupidity.

And that is why we have to have cycle lanes and speed limits and laws.  

I have to say, I wasn't tarring all mobility scooter users with the same brush _ i was making a light hearted remark about a few nutters.  If you were offended, I'm sorry - but that wasn't my intention.

Please don't make the same mistake - tarring all jokers as do-nothing moaners.  I actually do sympathise with the less mobile - not far off that position myself.  

Nevertheless, I think we ALL need to try and educate and inform those less fortunate than ourselves.  Teach them (by forcing them into lanes, if necessary) that rude and ignorant behaviour is not tolerated in a civilised society.

I'm of like mind I would by no means want anyone to not be able to get around! I agree that it is a few arrogant people who give others a bad name, and one shouldn't tar all with the same brush! I dont want to upset anyone! If only it was as easy as everyone thinking of others!

Hey pam the message i left was about cycle lanes on the prom, but as there are mental cyclists there are mental buggy riders ! I was hit out side my sons school by one who didnt stop and didnt say sorry !! As a cyclist who rides alot of miles both off road (nice and safe) and on road ( stupid drivers who think we need half an inch space ) i can see both sides ! I finish work at 7am and love to ride from mannings to jacobs ladder then along the high road before i go home !! If the council just did wot they do in brighton and paint cycle lanes on the prom the problem would be solved ! I saw cycles, scooters(kids) rollerblades, and also mobility scooters flying past with no trouble !! its about time this town grew some and realised that the older generation, (no disrespect) are nothing without the youngsters staying here and spending there money ! Felixstowe will die unless there is major investment ! i have two children (7+10) who have to look outside of here to do anything fun !!! I want to spend my money here but if there is nothing to do have to go else where !! major rant over but the council really needs to wake up to the fact there is nothing here really compared to other places by the sea !!!

Then again i could go on about the garrison lane/ high road west traffic lights and how drivers think its ok to park and drive in the cycle lane, without giving me and other cyclists any courtesy, but then it falls on deaf ears at the council as it seems a good idea untill someone is killed !(god i hope it doesn't happen) !! Thankyou patrick (from the half moon) for highlighting it but yet again nothing done untill its too late !!!

Agreed Felixstowe is seriously missing for the young family's! Our leisure centres are a joke you have to go out of town for anything other than building a sandcastle!

Come come CaraB.  Surely you've forgotten the multi-million pound upgrade to the Spa Gardens.  Surely, every child would like to walk slowly up and down the paths?  </sarcasm>

Very good Marc T, I know a lot of people would love to live in our town, but its a shame it seems no one that can do anything about wants to! #itsashame

Wow!!

I didn't intend to light so many touch papers!!  And I had not taken offence at anything any one had said, I just wanted to speak up for the sick, lame, (lazy??) and ancient..... 

On the other hand, I can't help feeling the quality of debate has improved! :-))

I think the idea of dividing the prom is a good one - It is certainly wide enough  - but it would need to be policed for a few months to get the nutters in line :->   And it should have been done instead of the pedestrianisation - Practical before Pretty - which seems to be beyond the understading of many of our councillors. (Like the Spa gardens - spend money on the pretty while the theatre is allowed to close instead of being improved for the benefit of the town and to bring people in - Remember when we had the Conservative Party Conference at the Spa???)

Maybe we can get some like-minded people together to petition the Council ?

Or maybe we can enlist the help of Richard Cornwell for some publicity in the Star???

My daughter has four under 7s and she had to abandon the town as there is nowhere to park to offload twins and a pram or even a single baby and a pushchair within walking distance of the town without a hefty fee.

As I said on the 'Parking in the West End' thread - no-one seems to be welcome in Felixstowe any more except for the 'costa coffee' brigade.  Fit and healthy and wealthy enough to afford the parking fees and the coffee!!