IT WAS during 2015 that the American company Strava introduced its cyclist time trials to our towpaths, with the one by the Kennet & Avon Canal in Bath now becoming extremely dangerous to both pedestrians and animals by this activity.
The system is that a cyclist registers with the company with the result that the app it supplies for the cyclist's phone allows it to record the actual maximum speed over a set distance, known as a segment.
Dangerous
One these is the 12.5 miles upgraded towpath on the Kennet & Avon Canal from Bradford-on-Avon to Bath, that drops 85ft through the many locks giving impetus to the riders, with the record average speed now standing by cyclist Caroline Tassell at a most dangerous 31.5mph, meaning at times this speed must have increased dramatically.
Woe betide any boaters or pedestrians who stepped out at the front of this lady, and with the high number of moored boats on this section of the canal, it is something that is very possible. Intent upon setting her record at all costs, would Caroline slow down for one moment if a toddler appeared in her way or would she swerve to keep up her alarming pace?
Attempting to beat it
It was our Ralph Freeman who first brought this matter up (Racing on towpaths at 'average' of 19mph) in February of last year, but that average speed of 19mph has long gone with speeds of way above being regularly achieved, headed by the 31.5mph of Caroline, which has set the 'bar' for others, particularly men, attempting to beat it.
During February of last year Strava had recorded 542 cyclists racing on that towpath, but 16 months later this had leaped to 1,046 different cyclists attempting the course on the towpath, with it estimated that each rider had attempted the run 3.35 times. Which means there have been 3,504 cyclists racing down the towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal between Bradford-on-Avon and Bath.
Heated discussion
During February of last year there was a heated discussion at a Press Briefing at Hatton between Tom Crossley the editor of narrowboatworld and Richard Parry, Chief Executive of Canal & River Trust (Comment—no action on time trials), when Tom pointed out the real danger to pedestrians by these speeding cyclists along the then Bathampton and Bath towpath, and asked what the Trust was doing about it. but all Richard was prepared to do was 'educate them'.
The route then was eight miles, but has been extended to 12 miles. The number of attempts then was 1,000 but is now 3,500.
By far worse
But by far worse, the speed was then an average of 19mph but now is 31mph. Richard, you have failed, and failed miserably, you 'education' has not worked
The narrow towpaths are not suitable for such an activity as time trials, and surely you must realise that at these speeds someone is going to get seriously injured or even killed. Some attempt must be made without any further delay to curb this dangerous activity.