A proposal has been made (championed by Councillor Mark Tittley) to install barriers at a number of the access points to Alvaston Park to address problems of motorbikes and mopeds being ridden on the cycleways. Further details on the proposals here.
The Cycling Group have objected to these proposals as being inappropriate and likely to inconvenience a number of commuting cyclists. The Group’s Campaigns Coordinator has written to Councillor Tittley as follows:
Dear Councillor Tittley,
Some members of Derby Cycling Group have informed me of plans, supported by yourself, to install barriers across most of the cycle routes which enter Alvaston Park, in an attempt to assist the police catching illegal motorcyclists who have been using the park late at night.
I would be very alarmed at any such plan and I am hoping you can tell me that an alternative to this is being sought.
Barriers which restrict the access of motorcycles, which will need to include mini motorbikes if the restriction is to be a success, will also restrict free access to cyclists, wheelchair users, mobility scooters and people using prams and some kinds push chairs. It is surely unreasonable to restrict all these legitimate park users because of a few criminals doing illegal things in the park. I do understand the impact these motorcyclists have on the local community; we have had several spates of this activity in Mackworth Park and on Mickleover Meadows near where I live, and my young son used to get very fretful and upset if the motorbikes were around when we were in the park; one of the riders nearly ran into my wife as she was cycling to work one day at Mackworth College through that area. However the best way to deal with this is to get hold of the bikes and break them up. Each time this has happened in Mackworth & Mickleover the problem has immediately stopped for a long period. If any “stopping up” measures are necessary to assist the police they need to be temporary, and only in place while ever a police operation is underway. Once the motorbikes have been stopped, then the legitimate users must be free to have unrestricted access to their park and the routes through it once more.
It is not acceptable for people to be inconvenienced by barriers; as well as use by casual users who may only go there infrequently, Alvaston Park is also an important transport route with many, many people travelling through it on the cycle paths every day to get to and from work on their bikes. There is no excuse for restricting their access, four times a day, everyday, on a permanent basis; it would degrade the attractiveness of the route for cycling, would probably reduce the number of cycle journeys, quite possibly increase the number of car journeys as a consequence and would prevent access for some people altogether (eg people with panniers, families using cycle trailers to carry young children etc). The old barriers on the Riverside Path were removed decades ago for just the reasons I have described; they must not be reintroduced now just as cyclist numbers are on the rise.
I look forward to your reply.
On behalf of Derby Cycling Group,
Yours sincerely,
Tony Roelich
Campaigns Coordinator