Forum Topic

Cyclicts banned from Richmond Park

https://www.itv.com/news/london/2020-03-27/cyclists-suspended-from-richmond-park-by-the-royal-parks-following-social-distancing-concerns/

Susan Kelly ● 2413d20 Comments

I was told that quite a few police yesterday on Ealing common pulling over motorists asking why they were out and was the journey needed and two cyclists were allso part of a small queue waiting to be spoken to. They were stopped for being two up in a car.

Julian Pavey ● 2413d

Really find it hard to understand this decision. But as long as it has been taken based on appropriate medical advice then it has to be done.

Paul Corcoran ● 2413d

It will be the numbers cycling over anything else so its an appropiate decision i guess. Cant think of any other reason why.

Julian Pavey ● 2413d

TBH I am not surprised.
I went out at 07:30 this morning to pick up medication and there was a 'tight phalanx' of cyclists riding down Boston Manor Road (not on the cycleway and looking like the ruddy Tour de France peloton).
What part of 'two metres separation' is difficult to understand?

N V Brooks ● 2413d

  Oi Mate'two metres separation'

Julian Pavey ● 2413d

Julian Pavey ● 2413d

Yes too many groups of cyclists using the park. Sadly it was inevitable. The mob cannot be reasoned with. I am not very confidently hoping that the 2m social distancing rule will become so ingrained that drivers will stop close-passing me when we are all back out after this.

Paul Campbell ● 2413d

No need for any driver to give anyone two metres on BMR as there is a dedicated pristine cycle lane but I agree. Can't understand anyone wanting to 'spook' a cyclist — I was one until the joints gave up to the point where thirteen orthopaedic procedures made no improvement.

N V Brooks ● 2413d

Ouch!

Paul Campbell ● 2413d

Does it come as a shock to anyone that cyclists weren't adhering to the rules? Dare I say, they made their bed on this one.

David Lesniak ● 2412d

Yep, ouch is a bit of an understatement but you've got to keep smiling!
That said, it was getting to the point where I was going to ask for a staff pass at CXH as I was there on more than one week more often than my surgeon!
CXH have been absolutely brilliant — OK they couldn't fix it but then again, not all things can be fixed.

N V Brooks ● 2412d

Do give it a rest David, as if all pedestrians have yet to grasp the meaning and importance of social distancing. To me this smacks of policy making based on reacting to social media. The Royal Parks and some local councils are clearly determined to do exactly what some people are demanding they do on social media in the absence of a coherent national policy. Hammersmith and Fulham have already backtracked on their park closures. What has happened is that while some parks were closed, those that remained open became much more crowded so these closures are totally counterproductive. As for banning bikes the two medical professionals I have asked specifically about this have assured me that cycling is much safer for me and other people.

Andrew OSullivan ● 2412d

"... have assured me that cycling is much safer for me and other people."  but NOT if cyclists are all jammed together in the entrances - KEEP YOUR DISTANCE!

Jennifer Selig ● 2412d

As is so often the case, it's a minority who ruin it for everyone else, who get the parks closed.

Susan Kelly ● 2412d

The solution to that is to open one of the main gates, and not make people go in the small gate at the side.If they are having people manning the gates anyway, you could still stop cars going in, and seeing scenes like we saw last weekend.

Al Webber ● 2412d

Respiratory droplets and spitting a sure fire way to spread the virus. Droplets  Spread up to 6 feet away.  Ban all cycling and running,  only go out if absolutely essential.  If inhaled through respiratory tract fewer germs needed to set up infection. What part of the message are people not understanding. It won’t be forever. The sooner people comply and the longer they comply, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner people will be able to get back to running and cycling.

Sean Wales ● 2412d

The problem apparently was not the cyclists within the park but the crowds waiting to get in as  someone has already mentioned. The narrow pedestrian gate caused the queues.

Susan Jennifer Thackray ● 2412d

Sean, government advice remains that people should do one session of exercise each day and that can include running and cycling outside. The mental health risks of incarceration have to be balanced against the infection risk of these activities and at the moment the advice is that, with sensible precautions, it is fine to cycle or jog.

Felicity Caborn ● 2412d

The irony is that when out walking the dog over last week in W4 I now see more people running and cycling than ever before, all I suspect trying to stay healthy as they are staying inside their homes longer.Maybe buying a cheap stand to ride your bike while stationary at home or be like the guy on the TV News last night who ran a marathon by nearly 800 circuits of his back garden (if you have one) is the way to go? P.S. Agree any "peloton" of cyclists riding together is crazy but families cycling together given they also live together should not all be lumped together as being the culprits!

Joe Conneely ● 2412d

no they say its crowding at the gates - they have caused the crowding by shutting the gates see my petition:Hi I used to ride daily. I have not seen any queues at gates but I am prepared to believe your statement that there is congestion – but it is clearly at certain times only.Many gates have an attendant – why don’t we deploy these attendants to marshal the gate traffic when needed – why not open the big gates with cones to stop cars, and thus cyclists can flow through ?People need exercise – they need to keep their lung capacity in these times. It would seem that the Park is taking a zealous stance to an overall minor risk, which can be considerably reduced by the above suggested mitigation measures. This would enable the full enjoyment of the Park when people need some health enhancing relief from lockdown.Perhaps you would care to get your members to assist with this petition to the Park  http://chng.it/2VXTvqw7N5RegardsNickNick Lighton

nick lighton ● 2412d