From Newsgroup: uk.rec.cycling


Cyclists riding rCLat excessive speedsrCY and causing crashes prompt Royal Parks to review cycling policy, as charity cancels time trial events
because rCLthey directly encourage cyclists to go faster than speed limitrCY

rCLFollowing several cycling-related incidents, it is our duty to take action to minimise the risk of accidents and our priority to ensure the safety of
all cyclists together with other visitors,rCY Richmond ParkrCOs manager said

by RYAN MALLON FRI, JUN 14, 2024 10:59

The Royal Parks has confirmed it is currently reviewing its policy on
cycling in the wake of what the charity calls rCLseveralrCY incidents rCLlinked to a minority of people cycling at excessive speedsrCY, a day after it was announced that the annual Richmond Park time trial events have been
cancelled due to fears that the races encourage cyclists to ride faster
than the parkrCOs 20mph speed limit for motorists.

Yesterday, we reported that the popular time trials in Richmond Park,
organised by the London Dynamo cycling club and previously scheduled to
take place on 23 June and 7 July this year, have been cancelled by the
Royal Parks on safety grounds related to the speeds achieved by
participants during the races, along with the apparent threat posed to the cyclists by the parkrCOs deer population.

Starting at 6am, an hour before the gates for motorists open in the
south-west London park, the time trials have long been lauded for their inclusivity and for providing a gateway into the sport for young people and beginners, nervous at the prospect of riding alongside fast-moving traffic,
but able to race on largely traffic-free roads.

However, yesterday the eventsrCO organisers and local cyclists speculated
that the cancellation of the only time trials permitted in LondonrCOs royal parks owed much to the media coverage and anti-cycling sentiment
surrounding the recent inquest into the tragic death of an elderly
pedestrian following a collision with a cyclist in RegentrCOs Park in June
2022 rCo a theory since confirmed by the Royal Parks itself in a statement to road.cc this morning.

Last month, a coronerrCOs inquest heard that cyclist Brian Fitzgerald, while riding as part of a group in RegentrCOs ParkrCOs Outer Circle travelling at between 25-29mph, hit an 81-year-old pedestrian, causing her to suffer
several broken bones and bleeding on the brain, injuries she died from in hospital two months later.

Fitzgerald was not prosecuted, however, for his role in her death, with the Metropolitan Police concluding that there was rCLinsufficient evidence for a real prospect of convictionrCY.

Following the inquest, the Royal Parks rCo the charity which manages eight of LondonrCOs royal parks including Richmond Park and RegentrCOs Park rCo contacted
Strava to request that the parkrCOs Outer Circle segment be deleted,
believing that this may deter cyclists from riding the route at high
speeds, and prompting the ride-sharing app to remind its users and the
public that rCLhazardousrCY segments can already be flagged and urging cyclists to rCLprioritise everyonerCOs safetyrCY.

And this morning, Richmond ParkrCOs manager Paul Richards confirmed to
road.cc that the charity is now undertaking a general review of its
policies surrounding cycling and cycling events, along with the parksrCO infrastructure, in the wake of rCLseveralrCY high-profile incidents involving a rCLminorityrCY of cyclists riding at speed.

rCLThe Royal Parks charity takes the safety of all park visitors and road
users extremely seriously,rCY Richards told road.cc.

rCLFollowing several cycling-related incidents within the Royal Parks, linked to a minority of people cycling at excessive speeds, it is our duty to take action to minimise the risk of accidents and our priority to ensure the
safety of all cyclists together with other visitors.

rCLWe strive to create a relaxing and welcoming environment for the cycling community. We have reduced cut-through motor traffic and invested in safety measures to protect cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users, including
the equine community.rCY

He continued: rCLWe continue to review and explore our current cycling
events, our cycling policy, and the infrastructure across the Royal Parks.

rCLDuring this period of review, we have taken the decision to not permit the time trial events on 23 June and 7 July, as they directly encourage
cyclists to go faster than the speed limit of the road.

rCLEnforcement of the law and park regulations is the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police.rCY

Speaking to road.cc on Thursday evening, the organiser of the Richmond Park Time Trials, London Dynamo chairperson Andy Taylor, expressed his disappointment at the decision to cancel the events, pointing out that he believes the charity was placed rCLunder a lot of pressurerCY to take action due to the anti-cycling sentiment generated by the recent coronerrCOs inquest into the 81-year-oldrCOs pedestrianrCOs death.

rCLWerCOve had a very longstanding, good relationship with the Royal Parks,rCY Taylor told road.cc. rCLWhile werCOre very disappointed and upset with the decision, we understand where theyrCOre coming from rCo but I still disagree with it.

rCLI think theyrCOve come under a lot of pressure following that media storm around the coronerrCOs inquest. There was a lot of anti-cycling sentiment around it, so I can see why they did it.

rCLWe offered to meet them and collaborate with them. We did a very detailed risk assessment rCo every bump and corner in the park was assessed, we have lots of marshals.

rCLAnd thererCOs barely any traffic rCo most of the time werCOre out before the gates have even opened for car traffic. So itrCOs very frustrating that they didnrCOt really engage with us and just decided to cancel it. I think they didnrCOt want to see themselves associated with an event linked to excessive speed in the park.rCY

Taylor said he first rCLcaught windrCY that the Royal Parks were raising concerns about the time trials last month, when the media coverage around
the coronerrCOs inquest was at its height, leading to London Dynamo rCo along with the Richmond Park Cyclists group rCo moving to lobby the charity to
ensure the races could go ahead.

However, despite a prolonged exchange over email, Taylor claims the ParksrCO board of directors declined the opportunity to meet face-to-face to discuss
the issue.

The cycling club chair notes that one email he received from the Royal
Parks claimed that the time trials were rCLpromotingrCY cyclists riding faster than the 20mph speed limit for motorists and that the parkrCOs deer rCLposed a dangerrCY to those taking part.

rCLThe deer can be a hazard, but thatrCOs something all the riders are warned about,rCY he says. rCLItrCOs not a new thing, everyone knows the deer are there.

rCLNeither of these things are new rCo the 20mph speed limit has been there for quite some time. So you have to question the timing of the decision. They didnrCOt mention the RegentrCOs Park incident to us at all, but the two are clearly closely linked.rCY

Pending the outcome of the Royal ParksrCO current review, Taylor says he is
now focused on securing another venue for the annual time trial events.

rCLI asked the Royal Park if this was all just a temporary reaction to
current events, but they said it was likely to be permanent,rCY he says.

rCLWerCOre just thinking about what we do next. WerCOd like to keep a time trial
event on our calendar, but itrCOs unlikely to be in Richmond Park. WerCOll have to look elsewhere for another venue.rCY

<https://road.cc/content/news/royal-parks-launch-review-due-speeding-cyclists-308867>
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