It is not working Mr Parry

THERE was a rather heated argument at a Canal & River Trust Press Briefing some three years ago by its Chief Executive, Richard Parry and myself, writes narrowboatworld editor, Tom Crossley.

It concerned Strava cyclists who were using numerous sections of towpaths to record and attempt to beat their speeds, I remarking that they are dangerous and asked what Mr. Parry was doing about it, to which he replied he would 'educate them'.

This morning (Monday) Ray Watkins referred to the website London Canals and the comments from towpath uses of the dangers and results of cyclists on the towpaths, so I have reproduced these below, as written:

The comments

@Mmelulu @AndyGilder I live near a canal towpath. They think it's a cycle M-Way. I've had many a altercation with them.

#cyclist injured old man this morning, whilst I'm checking he's OK, another crashes into a boater #towpath
Apology, nah!

@PeterTodd_ @CleanAirLondon @RossLydall As long as you remember the towpath is used by pedestrians too, not ideal for a cycle superhighway!

@BathMultiples @awjre @votedave @lgladdy The K&A towpath is to be paved, but speed-cyclists are a big worry for walkers, children, dogs etc.

@GlenBatten1 @BathMultiples @awjre @votedave @lgladdy I have been hit by a cyclist on canal whilst walking my dog didn't even stop

@CRTContactUs My partner has now been physically assaulted by a speeding #towpath cyclist, bringing on a seizure, taken to hospital 1/3

Off to visit partner (mown down by cyclist) in hospital. Had to avoid 2 cyclists hurtling along towpath at stupid speed @CanalRiverTrust

@KarenAsemper @Peg_Alexander it was interesting though - I cycle & walk a lot - & sadly it doesn't feel like the two coexist well on towpath

@brianjohnspencr Kim, wiped out by cyclist on Lagan towpath. Has to go for 2 operations to insert-remove pins...

@Mark_Gristock
Are you a terrible cyclist? Do you have no interest in UK laws or common curtesy? Then come on down to the canal each day & join your mates

@martinltull
Just been abused by idiot towpath cyclist when asked him to slow down. And yes, my partner is still in hospital having been mown down by one

@BBeagh
We can only reach our cottage via the towpath-we're on the Grand Union cycle path at Kings Langley and it is dangerous for us and our dogs

@JamesFl
Don't tut at me because you can't get past cycling along the canal.
The towpath is the pedestrians cycle lane and you shouldn't be in it

@nigreenways @nicpics My wife was knocked down by a towpath cyclist 12 days ago. Very badly broken wrist. Cyclist denied it and sped off

@martinltull
Abuse from #cyclist "you don't own the #towpath". No but we pay more than your Council Tax to live here. Have some respect!

@bethdewhurstx
some twat of a cyclist nearly knocked me into the canal on my run

@talk2blutbad
Running along the canal..things were great..till my flatmate was hit by a cyclist. #hospital #emergency #sports #bluethigh #accident

@castlefieldjon
I think that @sustrans could make it law that all cyclists on the towpath have a bell. Somebody is going to get hurt. They cycle too fast!!

@martinltull
@BBCScotlandNews @MrMarkBeaumont A cyclist put my partner in hospital on a canal towpath. She's still there. He rode off shouting abuse.

@myfoodventure
Going for a #run with the @ZombiesRunGame. If you don't hear from me, I died or got arrested for pushing a cyclist into the canal. #fitness

@martinltull
Here we go again @CanalRiverTrust Another Saturday morning trying to keep our animals safe on the cycle track that was once a quiet towpath.

@VisitWestLeeds
"No need for speed bumps on towpath cycle route" @CanalRiverTrust & @CityConnect1 assure residents of Rodley #Leeds

@stephanietrigg
Nearly fell into Regents canal this afternoon; surprised by a speeding cyclist. Would have been an auspicious beginning to #NCS16.

@StephenNolan
Fury over cyclists on the footpath #BBCNolan https://audioboom.com/boos/4809329-fury-over-cyclists-on-the-footpath-bbcnolan ... via @audioBoom

@Janie607
@StephenNolan - my dog almost run over by cyclist on towpath and shouted abuse at me for being there!

@Phil_Page227
@SaveOurSparrows @CanalRiverTrust @Team4Nature300 Would be good for all. nearly got run over by speeding cyclist on canal at Leigh today,

@alextaylor82
Grr #bloodycyclists build 'em a £30+million cycle highway, shut a city centre for 'em & they still want the whole towpath too! #grumpyrunner

@laur_pop
Tempting to put out the hand and nudge an aggressive canal cyclist off their perch #londonproblems #chill #canalzenplease

@WellsHouseRoad
@WeAreCyclingUK what can u do to control cyclists along #GrandUnionCanal http://W.London who terrorise pedestrians?

@WellsHouseRoad
@WeAreCyclingUK I'm a cyclist but on the towpath they are crazy. A manic girl cycling top speed cycled at me & missed me by an inch today.

@martinltull
Just heard @CanalRiverTrust.... an elderly neighbour (one of your residents) was pushed into the canal by a passing cyclist on Friday eve.

@JusticesDeborah
The canal towpath where I live has become very dangerous . Cyclist show no respect for walkers dogs or children. Serious accident waiting

@martinltull
#Cyclist going by on #towpath, his App suddenly announces "average speed 18 miles per hour" GUILTY AS CHARGED!!

@TinyMaster
Really think @hackneycouncil should stop cycling along Regents Canal - witnessed a crash between cyclist & pedestrian. Bikes go too fast.

@PeteRamsey01
Not many people know what a cycle bell sounds like - had a few rounds of 'guess that sound' with towpath walkers

@LukeHoosTawking
This walk along the canal might be relaxing if their weren't a fucking cyclist every 3 seconds

@GarethCV
. @Deliveroo_COV rude cyclist on the canal towpath who doesn't think/care that pedestrians have priority isn't good for your image

@Eve_Says_So
What concerns me about running on the canal is colliding with a cyclist/tripping up and ending up falling in. I'm convinced it will happen.

@Will_Unwin
Just been hit by a cyclist: his bike ended in the canal. Great to be out walking in the sun

@Rebecca_Gordon
Canal commuters: can we all try adopting a L-hand system? Yours, Militant Runner x

@jbeaton1993
@Rebecca_Gordon nothing worse than running along the canal towpath on the left and a cyclist near wiping you out

@gmacofglebe
Had a cyclist 'brush' by me on the canal last week so yes. Speed also a factor.

@alice_emily
Ah, London summer. Never better represented than by the angry face of an entitled cyclist along the Regents Canal. (I am also a cyclist)

@martinltull
Just been whacked on the leg by stone kicked up by speeding towpath cyclist. Any speed is too fast when walkers are around @CanalRiverTrust

@martinltull
It seems the ☀ is shining. It seems once again the cyclist becomes the Apex predator on the towpath. Where there was peace there are now cyclists

@_yeahsure
cyclist elbow just caught the my bag and full on came off his bike and ended up in the canal

@martinltull
06:30 walking home from work, within a whisker of being taken out by speeding cyclist on towpath. But why should you care @CanalRiverTrust?

@blisswords
@MaidaValeNews Sorry I don't think there's room for dedicated cycle lane on towpath. Built for horse + bargee. Cyclists-narrow towpath? No.

@thehibeesfamily
@vonny_bravo it's a funny old world when I'm on the canal with my dog it's terrifying that roughly 50% off cyclist's want2run us over bams

@WalesPolitics
.@bethanjenkins was almost knocked into a canal by cyclist using excess speed. @fmwales says cyclists need to take responsibility. #FMQs

@Helen_Faccio
Hope the cyclist who collided with my bro, knocking him&his bike in the canal in Nottm&left him with a double arm break is enjoying his week

@astlecw
So, was actually hit by a cyclist on the towpath, walking on the edge & not wandering. Reserves of patience now running low.
No injury.

@aisfornala
A rude cyclist just bumped into me which made me drop the packet of angel delight I was carrying into the canal.

@martinltull
I've been at work since 07:00 and the first thing that happens when I walk home along the towpath? Called "a twat" by a cyclist. Wanker.

@erics_collar
@greydogphoto Some of them think the refurbished canal towpath is a cycle motorway or designated cycle track

@nbEpiphanyFor
Cyclists and mobile phone obsessives turn Britain's tranquil towpaths into accident black spots http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/04

@twiddlemeister
The next cyclist to whizz past me on the MediaCity *footbridge* an inch away from me is going in the canal.

@Jacksters26
@nbEpiphanyFor Sadly CRT seem to be prioritising cyclists. They are either naive, foolish or wilfully blind to the resulting problems.

Manipulating

From the above it will be seen that once again Canal & River Trust is manipulating its statistics by stating that there has been only one serious accident with cyclists and only 11 collisions over its entire towpath network that is patently untrue, especially when, with very few exceptions, the above comments refer to London only.

The cyclists have certainly not been educated—it is not working Mr. Parry.