Leaving the waterways

WE RECEIVE many emails from boaters giving up their boating and leaving the waterways, but the prominent reason now is the scourge of the speeding cyclists on the towpaths, with June Phipps giving her reason:

 

After many years of narrow boating we have now given it up. The good things I remember are nice sunny days/other boaters who were friendly and helpful/sociable towpath users/lock keepers who went out of their way to help. Lots of lovely canal side pubs. (Sadly these are getting less and less.) And lots more.

Not so good

The not so good things to remember were rainy days. (Of course.) Boats on 24hr moorings who you passed at least a week since. Boats with out of date licence or no licence at all. (Those were getting less and less we noticed.)

I could go on about lots more of the not so good, but my concern now is I'm sorry to say not so much dog poo on the towpaths but yes those mad cyclist. I have had many near misses and had to warn my husband to get out of the way when he stepped off the boat.

Being a bit older, jumping out of the way is not an option for us. It seems cyclists are taking over the towpaths for their sole use.