Cracking Down on Dangerous Cycling in Bedford Town Centre

Bedford Borough Council has introduced new powers of enforcement against those who cycle in the pedestrianised area of the town centre during busy shopping periods.

Following extensive public consultation which revealed overwhelming support for the measure to enhance pedestrians' safety, Mayor Dave Hodgson's Cabinet has approved the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order for the main pedestrian area of the town centre. This will allow the Council itself to issue Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £75 to those cycling during the prohibited period of 9am to 6pm.

Cycling was already prohibited duyring this period via an existing Traffic Regulation Order, however enforcement could only be carried out by the police.Using new powers to introduce a PSPO to cover the main pedestrain shopping area of the town enables both Police and authorised Council Officers to enforce the restriction and issue fines.

As one of a raft of measures to support and encourage cycling in Bedford under Mayor Dave, the Council removed the prohibition on cycling in the pedestrianised area outside main shopping and business hours, between 6pm and 9am, and this has proved very popular with cyclists.

However, records from Bedford BID reveal that up to 800 people per month cycling through the pedestrian area during the busy, prohibited period. The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) will restrict cyclists from riding bikes through the main pedestrian area between 9am and 6pm. The new powers will enhance the enforcement regime against this dangerous activity.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "Cycling through the pedestrianised area of the town centre is dangerous and selfish, and has caused a number of nasty accidents."

"We introduced a common sense measure to permit cycling outside of busy shopping periods in the early morning and evening, but during the day there is sadly too little common sense shown by those who cycle and endanger the safety of pedestrians of all ages. That's why we are using new powers to extend the enforcement regime against such selfish behaviour, in the interests of the safety of everyone who lives in, works in or visits the town."