Stop cycling on Sovereign Harbour promenades

Ban them now before someone gets seriously hurt. Its a promenade not a velodrome!

Too many near misses lately!! Why is it so hard for them to use the cycle paths provided? Those right angle bends are deathtraps for little ones running out from their houses.

The problem with petitions such as this are that they only present one point of view. I agree wholeheartedly with the 4 previous comments As residents of the Harbour (and members of SHRA) for a number years, at times as cyclists, more often as motorists and pedestrians, but essentially just polite and considerate people, my wife and I have often ventured out on the Harbour Walkways on our cycles and never once have we been rebuked by pedestrians or had any indication whatsoever that our cycling was causing any problem to any other user of the walkways. We have certainly never abused pedestrians! SHRA make reference to ‘anti social’ cycling but it is not clear from the context whether they infer that all cyclists on the Harbour Walkways are anti social or that some cycle in an anti social manner. To demonise all cyclists because of the actions of a few irresponsible idiots is grossly unfair and divisive. No matter what actions the council are able to take in response to this petition the ‘dangerous’ minority will still cycle on the walkways in a dangerous fashion (how many of you who will support this petition have never broken the speed limit whilst driving?) but the considerate majority will feel intimidated. How will responsible parents now feel about taking their children for a leisurely ride around the harbour? I’m not really too sure quite what SHRA expects ESDC to do in response to the petition. If it is the intention that there be some form of ‘policing’ of the walkways to deter/fine cyclists then quite frankly I would prefer that any surplus money be spent (I appreciate different councils are involved) on ‘policing’ the walkways to 1. Deter dog owners who fail to clean up their dog’s mess, 2. Deter dog owners who allow their dogs to walk off the lead, which gives some irresponsible owners the excuse that they can’t see their dogs making a mess and 3. Deter those who drop litter, which together with the dog mess makes the Harbour a rather unpleas

Total madness. I was almost taken out by a bike going way too fast near the shops last week. People walking their dogs or kids shouldn't have to look over their shoulders all the time. Keep them on the road where they belong

Not one, but two petitions! Oh dear, SHRA have really got their knickers in a twist over this! And I'm afraid their over reaction does them no credit at all. As a responsible cyclists I OPPOSE THIS PETITION and WILL NOT SIGN it. There is no good reason why pedestrians and cyclists cannot share many of the proms in the harbour area - the fact is that they already do - right now and without problem. Most of the proms are plenty wider enough to be shared - and most are considerably wider in fact than every other shared cycle path in the Harbour. Also, a number of cyclists use the proms to commute to work and school. SHRA's interventions would force these cyclists on to busy rush hour roads. The police also cycle along the proms. I am not saying that blanket approval should be given to cycling on every prom in the Harbour (SHRA seems to be going for a blanket ban). Each one would need to be properly evaluated for suitability and access. And, although not ideal, generally, shared cycle routes do work well. It should be noted that SHRA's interpretation above of the LDF/SPD 'vision' is their own. There has been no proper discussion about the provision of future cycle routes in the Harbour as it continues to grow (and, importantly, to join up with the rest of Eastbourne), and certainly no specific consultation on the matter. I agree with the comments by David Preager - it is one badly behaved cyclist that has caused people to get upset. It is a shame that SHRA is using this one incident to try to prevent the expansion of cycle routes not only in the Harbour, but also elsewhere in Eastbourne. Let's share our lovely Harbour. PS I suggest that the SHRA committee ease their legs over a crossbar and give cycling a go - they would then be able to appreciate just how much superb and safe control a cyclist has on a modern machine.

I agree with David Preager. To avoid using a car, I regularly cycle to the Sovereign Centre by riding along the seafront from the North harbour via the harbour locks. I also walk regularly down to the marina so I am both a cyclist and a walker. When cycling I always slow down when approaching walkers and show consideration by giving them the right of way at all times stopping completely if necessary. One of the major benefits of living in Eastbourne is the fact that we have better facilities for cyclists than most seaside towns in the country and anything that replaces car use has to be good. More to the point any prevention of bicycle use in and around the harbour (or Eastbourne itself) would be a major step backwards in my view and goes against all the current thinking. It's a classic case of a few inconsiderate cyclists ruining it for the majority. The same is true of a few irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs foul the pedestrian walkways around the harbour....or the few dangerous drivers who go at speeds in excess of 50 mph down Pacific Drive... or dare I say it few people on electric scooters who weave their way in and out of pedestrians. The fact is if we all take a sensible considerate approach to other users of our walkways we can all co-exist happily together without any trouble and without punitive rules and regulations. In my opinion there are more important factors that need addressing in and around the harbour, two of which are mentioned above. One major injury caused by a cyclist should not dictate the entire outcome of this debate and likewise you cannot compare the Dotto train to a cyclist either as I have a had a few close shaves with that down the seafront myself!

The problem is not simply cyclists , it's the type of person cycling. If the cyclists demeanour is polite and considerate and they are aware of others sensibilities and fears then we can all rub along fine . It's the usual problem of the few spoiling it for the many . i fear we will have to do the proverbial baby out with the bath water thing ! Shame .

It is a community for everyone. If you ban cyclists then next children, dogs, fishermen, people from the beach because of litter..... everyone has a pet hate but the vast majority act responsibly and this is still a minority of occasions based on the number of times these activities are carried out every day. Working to find a compromise is surely more constructive.

I agree 100% with the above 3 comments! Common sense should prevail in this - Lets not go back to the days when Eastbourne was considered to be God's waiting room! Perhaps I should get on my high horse & moan about the numerous dog owners who let (?) their dogs jump up at me when I'm out running - Shall I start a petition on that?!!