Rain failed to dampen the spirits of campaigning cyclists on Sunday (February 10)
More than 40 people turned out in the torrential rain on Sunday afternoon for Bespoke’s event. They pushed their bikes along the promenade between the Wish Tower and Fishermen’s Green in a protest against the cycling ban along that part of the seafront.
The campaigners then got on their bike and rode, with a police escort, up to The Big Sleep Hotel for refreshments.
The cycling campaign group has long been pushing for a cycle path along the seafront. It is now possible to take to some parts of the promenade by bike, but Bespoke wants to see the stretch between The Wish Tower Slopes, past Eastbourne Pier and down to Fisherman’s Green included in the town’s cycle network.
Bespoke holds regular mass bike rides to raise awareness of the group’s campaign but on Sunday they took a different approach.
Felicity Goodson from Bespoke was leading the bike push and clutching a Valentine’s themed banner which read ‘Love my heart. Love my bike, love my earth.’
Felicity said, “We really need a push on this cycle path along the seafront now. It has been going on for years.”
As well as raising awareness for Bespoke, the seafront bike push also celebrated the recent funding being put in to cycling facilities at Eastbourne Railway Station.
The town’s station will benefit from a £300,000 cycle hub for up to 250 bikes including a maintenance and repair facility.
Bespoke’s campaign and the funding has been welcomed by Eastbourne and Polegate MPs Stephen Lloyd and Norman Baker.
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