As we’ve seen in Grimsby, Bedford, Swindon, Maidenhead, Windsor, Birmingham, and countless other places across the UK in recent years, town centre bike bans – and their accompanying divisive debates – are all the rage these days. Literally.
And this week, Leeds decided to join in on the fun, after the Yorkshire city’s council announced that stricter measures could soon be implemented to prevent anyone from riding any kind of bike through a busy pedestrianised area… after locals raised safety concerns about delivery riders using fast, illegally modified e-motorbikes.
Leeds City Council said in a statement yesterday that the proposals were a response to the issues raised in a public survey relating to the “heavy” e-motorbikes favoured by many delivery riders on Briggate, the city centre shopping street used by approximately 1,100 cyclists and e-bike users each day.
The local authority noted that some of these 1,100 riders were using bikes which have been modified to exceed the maximum legal speed of 15.5mph for electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs), or are in fact simply high-powered electric motorbikes, which require a licence, registration, Vehicle Excise Duty, and the rider to wear an approved motorcycle helmet.
A council spokesperson said these illegal bikes potentially represent a “serious risk to pedestrian safety in the event of a collision”.
Meanwhile, in last year’s public survey, 61 per cent of respondents noted delivery riders in pedestrianised areas “negatively impacted” their experience of the city centre.
However, despite this focus on illegal e-motorbikes, Leeds’ Briggate Action Plan would make it a requirement for all cyclists to dismount and walk with their bikes on Briggate, Lands Lane, Commercial Street, Albion Place, and lower Albion Street during extended pedestrianised hours. The council has also proposed to ban street vendors from certain areas within these streets.
According to the plans, which will soon be considered by councillors, anyone breaching the restrictions on cycling and street selling will be given a fixed penalty notice (which, as we’ve seen in Grimsby, could rake in quite a bit of money for the council).
“Briggate in particular is one of the city’s retail crown jewels and we want to do all we can to ensure it remains an attractive, appealing, and above all safe destination,” Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development, said in a statement.
“These proposals are designed to be a starting point and an important opportunity to bring about some changes in the city centre in light of issues the public have raised with us.”
However, the plans haven’t gone down too well with the city’s cyclists, who claim a blanket ban on cycling will fail to tackle the problem of dangerous e-motorbike users, as well as discriminating against those who use their bike as a mobility aid.
“Cyclists are not the problem, it’s the unregulated chipped e-bikes and e-scooters that are the problem, not only in Leeds but elsewhere,” said BBC reader Pepperoni.
“Think it’s time to take action against stores and outlets that sell them as well as the people that use them illegally on roads and pavements.”
“These illegal e-bikes (motorbikes) are also a danger to cyclists,” noted Andy Cole (who I’m assuming isn’t the former Manchester United forward).
“Birmingham recently dropped their proposed PSPO for cycling as with pressure, they realised they just had to work with police to enforce existing legislation around these illegal e-motorbikes (not e-bikes),” added Martin.
“Cycle ban PSPOs exclude people who rely on cycling as a mobility aid to get around and don’t actually tackle the root problem.”
Meanwhile, Mzungo wrote: “Realistically, most cyclists can coexist with most pedestrians, and there would be minimal prompt for this proposal without the proliferation of [e-motorbikes]. Focus on them, and the problem goes away.”
“E-bikes that go faster than 15.5 mph are classed as motorcycles, not bikes,” added Jaxom, who reckons better infrastructure is key to making cities safer for all vulnerable road users.
“They need to be only allowed on the roads allowed by motorcycles. Decent cycle lanes around the city centre that works to keep both cyclists and pedestrians safe would help.”
That sentiment was echoed by MeHere, who said: “I ride my bike to work in Leeds city centre. Roads into the city are fine for bike riders, but once you get there it’s a nightmare.
“Cyclists having to fend off buses, especially on Boar Lane, no wonder some ride on the path. Leeds City Council needs to extend the cycle lanes into city centre more. I do agree with banning the Uber riders from pavements.”
Of course, I mentioned earlier that these debates are pretty divisive. As Red noted on social media: “Cue the rabid tirade of hate for cyclists by incredibly conscientious motorists that are model citizens and do everything perfectly…”
Deep breath, everyone…
“Great in theory, but who is going to police it?” Rob said, after learning of the plans. “The cyclists whizz around the city centre breaching all the rules and don’t care about the pedestrians, street signs etc.”
And Simon said he was “sick of having to look out for bikes doing ridiculous speeds when I’m walking in the town centre. Cyclists should be on the road or on cycle paths, full stop.”
Dave was somewhat more balanced, writing: “Blanket bans will only stop the cyclists that are careful and considerate. Because they follow the rules. The ones abusing the use of the zone will keep doing it. As without any kind of enforcement available then it’s not going to stop them.”
Darren, on the other hand, was not so balanced: “Shouldn’t be any kind of vehicle on streets other than disability ones, scooters, wheelchairs and whatnot.
“But no bicycle of any kind should be on any kind of walkway or in streets.” Even ones used as mobility aids, Darren?
And finally, Justine concluded: “Those of us with common decency who ride bikes in town would automatically get off and push!!!!”
Welcome to the PSPO debating club, Leeds…