Speeding cyclists solution

IT SEEMS seems to me that there is a fairly obvious solution to the issue of speeding cyclists on towpaths, writes Martin Banks.

Towpaths are part of the canal system, as is the water. Boaters are restricted to 4mph on the canal, so make the rule apply to the `canal system' in its entirety. Then everything is restricted to 4mph: walkers, boaters, fishermen and women and yes, cyclists.

Quick enough to complain

They are quick enough to complain—with a fair degree of justification—about how vehicle drivers ignore them and their need for road space in big cities. Here, the boot is on the other foot and they have to acknowledge that other people, with other needs of the towpath, should expect the same level of consideration as the cyclists loudly protest they deserve in cities.

And perhaps boaters, pedestrians and the fishing community should take a leaf out of the cyclists' book. Organise some `slow-ins' where walkers walk slowly and in large numbers (preferably with as many large prams, wheelbarrows and the like as possible), boaters moor up using a fair amount of towpath for ropes etc, or spread chairs etc around to `enjoy the locale', and fishing people can take ages (especially with those long rods) to pull them in and get them sorted out. Just block up some popular cyclist towpaths enough to make it `noticeable'—and perhaps display some suitably worded advisory placards to help make the point.