Forget stupid arguments, let's concentrate on what really matters (From Bournemouth Echo)

Forget stupid arguments, let's concentrate on what really matters

4:20pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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This week there are two specific things that I want to write about...

Firstly I feel the need to make comment on the story about the death of Kevin Watts whilst cycling near Boscombe Pier.

As the verdict of the inquest stated this was a tragic accident, but from a personal point of view I am surprised to see that two particular things attracted a large amount of quite heated debate.

The fact that he did not wear a helmet whilst cycling was his personal choice. I do wear a helmet whilst cycling and that is my choice.

There are various studies and both support and refute the benefits of cycling helmets in equal measures.

Whether a helmet would have reduced his injuries or prevented his death is not clear, but the choice was his to make, so the debate is both unfair and irrelevant.

The other point that seems to have sparked debate and argument is the fact that he was travelling at nearly 30mph. I don't understand why this is a point of discussion, he wasn't breaking the speed limit and if he had been in a car or on a motorcycle this fact would not have been mentioned.

I regularly exceed 30mph whilst cycling both on road (where permitted) and off road. This is not an excessive speed for an experienced cyclist. During the Tour de France the professional racers reach speeds of over 60mph whilst descending from the mountains.

From what I have read Kevin Watts died from injuries received in a tragic accident, you could argue that the pedestrian should not have stepped out into the road without looking, but the only comments that we should be making are to give our sympathies to those who knew him and miss him.

The second story that has attracted my attention over the last few days was in Mondays Echo covering the case of Nicholas Rowntree who assaulted two people whilst cycling along the seafront in June of last year.

I'm not going to make any comments on this particular incident but I am going to talk about the whole issue of seafront cycling in Bournemouth and Poole.

Our local byelaws do not permit cycling along the seafront; however these rules have been relaxed in order to allow people to use this fantastic stretch of promenade as a traffic free route through our conurbation.

There are three things to remember whilst riding along the seafront: 1. You can cycle along this stretch at any time apart from 10am-6pm during July and August. This is an enforceable rule and people have been fined for not abiding by these restrictions.

2. There is a speed limit of 10mph along the seafront. This is not specific to cyclists and applies to all movement on the promenade. Cyclists are not required by law to be able to measure their speed so this is difficult to enforce. Common sense also shows that there are times when 10mph is too fast due to the number of people using the seafront.

3. Cycle with care! This is a shared facility and it just makes sense to be careful and have consideration for others.

Cycling on the promenade is a wonderful way to get about and it's a fantastic place to be. I love watching the sunrise or sunset as I cycle along the seafront in the mornings or evenings.

However, being able to use this is a privilege and every year this is re-evaluated to see whether the relaxation of the byelaws should remain in place.

I will be furious if this privilege is taken away because of the selfish actions of a few inconsiderate people, so from this one cyclist to others, please abide by the rules so that we can continue to use the seafront.