CYCLISTS flaunting the rules along Bournemouth promenade have been issued with letters warning they could face prosecution.

Some 28 letters have been sent out and one person prosecuted, according to figures obtained by a Daily Echo reader under the Freedom of Information Act.

The letters are in relation to the period, July 1- August 5, when cyclists are prohibited from using the promenade, from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head, between the hours of 10am-6pm.

There is also a 10mph speed limit in place, and signs telling cyclists pedestrians have the right of way.

Under bylaws cycling on the promenade outside of the specified times can lead to prosecution.

Keen cyclist and Borough of Poole councillor Andy Hadley told the Daily Echo: "I actually campaigned to get cycling allowed on the prom, and I think it is a great, safe route away from traffic. But the rules are there because it is busy at this time of year at that time of day.

"I would like to see the restrictions in place for a shorter period than they are, especially for the commute home in the evenings. Around 4pm the beach does tend to get quieter.

"But people need to obey the rules as they are."

Beachfront regulations also state cyclist cannot ride up or down any of the zig zag paths leading to the promenade.

Cllr Hadley added: "It frustrates me that they put a 10mph limit on there, because it is more about riding appropriately for the people who are around you.

"Most people will co-exist quite happily.

"The problem is that wherever cyclists go they get marginalised, engineers move them from the roads to the pavements because sometimes it is convenient for other traffic, more than it is useful for cyclists.

"The prom is very wide and the main danger is small children crossing from beach huts.

"But you cannot cycle along there very fast when it is busy, there is no point to it.

"Most cyclists do not want to fall off their bikes, because it hurts."

If prosecuted, cyclists can be fined for breaking promenade regulations.