Cycling is now all the rage in Bexhill

The Observer has published consecutive letters recently (May 1 and 8) first claiming a lack of consideration by cyclists and (predictably) the opposite-backed by research findings.

This has been a regular topic for twenty years and is getting worse [nationally] but it’s not just a case of heroes and villains. Arguably it’s symptomatic of a growing self-centred attitude within society that’s not restricted to people on two wheels but more exposed perhaps by a certain type of (usually) male rider.

My definition of a ‘cyclist’ is not someone mentally competing in a high speed road race, head down and focused on the mileometer/timer regardless of those nearby. Effectively these are on a mobile exercise bike that has leapt from it’s mount in the gym!

I have a friend who ran a cycle business for forty years. He’s still on two wheels, cycling regularly and is a mild mannered Christian. None the less he grew quite agitated and objected when I expressed this view but later admitted that “sport” cycling-as opposed to getting from A to B at a relaxed pace, did “build up the adrenalin” as he put it. Most of these problems are related to attitude not the transport mode. The cycle lane down to Glyne Gap works quite well but if you should accidentally wander off track, many riders take the opportunity to behave aggressively rather than courteously.

The ultimate answer may be to fully separate cycle/walking routes, educate (especially young) people and make it socially unacceptable to be so self obsessed-not easy in the current climate.

The government is hoping to solve it’s transport problems by getting everyone on a bike but especially in cities, it’s inherently dangerous for the rider. A young woman doctor of great promise was killed in a collision with an HGV Lorry last year, cycling half a mile between the two hospitals at which she worked.

It’s become trendy to be on two wheels but this country lacks the space and miles of dedicated routes already in place within European countries like the Netherlands. Paths just seem to be painted onto main roads here as with the route over the marshes-who wants to risk that?

Perhaps Bexhill and it’s own forthcoming council could lead the way with a safe route to Eastbourne for non-car users. There appears to be one possibility just behind the hedge running West to the roundabout.