No one fined for cycling on Eastbourne seafront in the last two years

That is according to information obtained from the council through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

It comes despite claims from concerned pedestrians that cyclists are flouting the rules and riding along the promenade on a regular basis.

Neil Dawson submitted the FOI request to Eastbourne Borough Council on May 17 this year, asking for data on the number of fines and warnings given to cyclists for breaking the ‘no cycling’ bylaw along chunks of the seafront.

He has shared the council’s response with this newspaper, sent on Friday (May 22), which said, “Eastbourne Borough Council can confirm that no fines or warnings have been issued in the last twenty four months.”

Letter: Maintaining social distancing doesn’t give cyclists right to flout bylaw on Eastbourne prom

The Meads resident, who says he is a cyclist, said, “If a bylaw is in place it should be implemented, or what’s the point?

“We are currently social distancing – having cyclists on the seafront is not helping and they are not supposed to be doing it.

“I want the council to either decide they are going to stick to the rule they put in place or get rid of it. They haven’t done anything about it in the last two years.

“If you know you are never going to get fined then why follow the rules?”

However, Mr Dawson said a conversation needs to be had about how the seafront accommodates cyclists.

He said, “I am not anti-cycling, I cycle myself. I stick to what we should and shouldn’t do.

“They have as much right as anyone else. But the seafront is getting busier as restrictions are eased.

“We are in difficult times and cyclists aren’t helping the situation there.

“We live in a lovely place, let’s make sure we look after it and follow the rules.”

Responding to these concerns, a spokesperson for Eastbourne Borough Council said, “Our Neighbourhood First officers do their best to engage with anyone not abiding by the no-cycling signs and explain why it is a pedestrianised area.”

Cycling is allowed on the seafront at the eastern end at Sovereign Gardens to Fishermans Green, but it is not allowed on any other part of the seafront.

Signs along the prom indicate people could be handed up to £500 fines for breaking these rules.

What do you think? Email your views to [email protected]

We need to see more being done for cyclists in Eastbourne

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