Call for Leicester authorities to deal with 'dangerous' city centre cycling before 'someone is killed'

Delivery drivers in the city centre
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Local authorities are being urged to tackle the "menace" of cyclists in the city centre. E-bikes, push bikes and e-scooters are the source of regular complaints to Leicester City Council, the authority said.

Among those raising concerns was a resident from Aylestone, who got also in touch with LeicestershireLive after a recent trip to the city centre. He expressed worries over the what he branded as "dangerous" riding and the sheer number of delivery cyclists hanging around.

He further said he had contacted the council and the police but had not been happy with the responses he had received. He questioned whether it would take a tragic accident for something to be done about the issue.

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He said: "It's time for this to be stopped. There is no control in the pedestrian areas with bikes and e-scooters speeding dangerously around with police completely ignoring it. What will it take for it to be stopped? Someone's death?"

He added: "With the speed cyclists go along High Street, I think someone's going to be killed. And it's bad on Gallowtree Gate and around The Lanes, too.

"It's the same whenever I go into town and it's time someone did something." He also complained about cyclists hanging around the Clock Tower and making it hard to find anywhere to sit.

LeicestershireLive contacted Leicestershire Police and the council to ask them what their latest plans were for dealing with the issue. Sarah Russell, assistant city mayor for community safety, confirmed the council was looking for inventive ways to tackle the problem amid numerous complaints, including speaking with other cities around the country in the search for a solution. Cycling on pedestrianised roads such as Gallowtree Gate is only illegal if it counts as dangerous cycling or breaks other specific laws.

Coun Russell said: "It's a national issue and I don't think national legislation has caught up with how people use bikes and e-scooters now. In terms of what can be enforced, the police - who are the ones who are able to enforce the law - can only take action when they see someone cycling in a way that's dangerous."

She added many city centre businesses would struggle if cyclists were unable to pick up deliveries, and the cyclists themselves were under pressure to make deliveries quickly and depend on tips from customers for receiving a prompt service.

When asked if she feared the fast-moving bikes were putting people off visiting the city centre, she said: "I don't think it puts people off but I think it can be a bit overwhelming and make the areas more daunting for pedestrians. We're having conversations with other cities about how they manage things and also with the businesses that are dependent on cyclists to keep their businesses thriving. We're talking with them about how they can support the best possible behaviour from their riders.

"The police are also carrying out their own operation - Op Pedalfast - and a number of cyclists have been spoken to. We're also using some of our advertising boards to get the message across."

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Police said: "The Highway Code set out the rules and that a breach of the rules was a criminal offence, including cycling while unfit through drinks or drugs and careless or dangerous cycling.

She added: "The city centre neighbourhood team do run Op Pedalfast, targeting those using e-bikes and e-scooters, with the updates of these being published on the Leicester City Police Facebook pages."