Get rid of the cyclists, get rid of the problem.

[classic33]

If there were no bikes, no-one could have been injured riding one, says councillor.
"Darlington councillors call for town centre bike ban after pensioner suffers brain injury in fall
Some councillors in Darlington have suggested a ban on cycling in the town centre following an incident in which a pensioner was left with life changing brain injuries following a fall from his bike.

Brian Coates, 74, was walking in the town centre in September when he fell on to his head. Witnesses suggested he may have been startled by a group of young boys on bikes who were seen in the area.

With the support of Mr Coates’s family, Cllr Coultas and Cllr Bryan Thistlethwaite are now calling for a ban on cycling in the town centre altogether."

 

[gavintc]

If there were no bikes, no-one could have been injured riding one, says councillor.
"Darlington councillors call for town centre bike ban after pensioner suffers brain injury in fall
Some councillors in Darlington have suggested a ban on cycling in the town centre following an incident in which a pensioner was left with life changing brain injuries following a fall from his bike.

Brian Coates, 74, was walking in the town centre in September when he fell on to his head. Witnesses suggested he may have been startled by a group of young boys on bikes who were seen in the area.

With the support of Mr Coates’s family, Cllr Coultas and Cllr Bryan Thistlethwaite are now calling for a ban on cycling in the town centre altogether."

Typical, their analysis of the problem has failed completely to identify the root cause of the accident. Instead of banning bikes, they should ban old people - problem solved.

 

[summerdays]

On the other hand.... If we take it to the logical conclusion they should also be banning cars quite soon after. Somehow I suspect they will fail to see the similarity!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

''A group of boys'' - indeed, all gatherings of boys and girls should be banned. The long time spent in schools only encourages them to hang around together. A ban on schools is the only possible remedy.

 

[Brandane]

a pensioner was left with life changing brain injuries following a fall from his bike.

Brian Coates, 74, was walking in the town centre in September when he fell on to his head.

Was he cycling or walking then? It is quite relevant in this case, after all.
More amateur journalism by someone who didn't pay attention at school.

 

[DaveReading]

Which?

He was on foot.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ne...following_Darlington_town_centre_fall/?ref=mr

 

[byegad]

Darlington is one of the two larger towns near to me.

I suspect the ban would apply to the pedestrianised centre around the Market Place and High Row. The mixed use of this area was controversial when introduced and there are busy times when cycling in certain parts of this area would be disruptive. I note that the suspicion is that the poor guy was startled by a group of kids on bikes. I suspect a ban would be royally ignored by this same group.

 

[young Ed]

Typical, their analysis of the problem has failed completely to identify the root cause of the accident. Instead of banning bikes, they should ban old people - problem solved.

in some of my local towns such as hythe and tenterden etc their wouldn't be anyone left!
Cheers Ed

 

[Brandane]

He was on foot.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ne...following_Darlington_town_centre_fall/?ref=mr

Surely time to introduce mandatory helmet wearing for pedestrians then?

 

[young Ed]

as for OP i think i would just continue cycling and wait until they prosecuted me and then get angry!
Cheers Ed

 

[mr_cellophane]

More amateur journalism by someone who didn't pay attention at school.

He was probably hanging around the town center on his bike frightening pensioners

 

[Drago]

So they've not even adequately established a bike was involved and now they're considering banning them? Beggars belief.

 

[Cubist]

Or we could stop crap journalists from writing articles about councillors demonising young people and cyclists, then no pensioners would be frightened or startled by them.

 

[young Ed]

sounds like one he's wanted to do for years but just not had any stupid dreampt up reason to do it!

it must be because we are road hogging, non tax paying, ignorant, plebs that have no right to use the road!
Cheers Ed

 

[cyberknight]

We have a tannoy at work ...
"To increase safety at work " ........
I always say

"Don`t do any !"