Action groups against speeding

WITH respect to all your correspondents concerning speeding cyclists, would it not be better to form some kind of action group, locally at least? Write Peter Fairhead.

Turning the clock back is seldom an achievable goal, but effecting change to existing circumstances can be a defined aim. Certainly pressure should be applied to those responsible to have these routes removed from data recorders on the grounds that racing is not allowed and dangerous.

 

Collect evidence

It is common now for motorists and cyclists to use discreet cameras to record the actions of those with whom they interact. Surely if anyone feels they are in a speeding cyclist hotspot, they could, covertly or overtly, collect evidence. The website which records speeding—sorry time trialling—cyclists is public, so this information can be collected and used. It is area specific, even if it does not record offenders identities.

Discreet cameras, DSLR and point and shoot cameras, as well as most mobile phones, can now record the towpath with HD or near HD quality video, as well as date, time and GPS information. There are probably times when speeding is prevalent.

Used to effect change

All this data and evidence could be used to effect change to existing abused towpaths, and provide pressure against the development of new ones. The best people to do these things would be those on moored boats in affected areas, who might like to rope in local families and dog-walkers who also feel abused by cyclists.

This is only a reaction to recent posts on narrowboatworld, rather than some carefully thought out plan, but protest is a way to achieve change, and local television, radio and newspapers are always looking for controversy.