A CONCERNED councillor is calling for more restrictions against cycling on the promenade after a grandmother was injured by a bicycle.

As reported in the Daily Echo on Wednesday, 72-year-old Joanna Scott was walking along Alum Chine with her husband Peter when a cyclist sped towards them.

After quickly stepping aside to avoid the bicycle, Joanna was hit from behind by another cyclist.

Her foot and knee were injured, and she is now fearful to walk along the promenade.

Cllr Philip Stanley-Watts said he would be raising the issue at the next economy and tourism overview and scrutiny panel meeting.

“I’ve almost been mowed down while out jogging on the promenade so I have great sympathy with the lady who was injured. My best wishes go out to her, and I hope she makes a quick recovery,” he said.

“The situation is getting a bit out of hand – something needs to be done. I’m not anti-cycling, but seafront cycling needs to be looked at and people out there need to tell the council what they want done about it.

“The scrutiny panel should look at reviewing the hours cyclists are permitted to use the promenade. Cycling speed limits need to be a lot more enforced and council officers on the beach need to be more proactive.”

He added: “I’ve had some near misses with bicycles this year. When you see cyclists on the promenade, some of them go too fast, although many are good at slowing down.

“But a great many elderly and disabled people feel they can’t use the promenade, and the beach should be accessible to all without anyone being frightened. People need to feel safe, and it’s important to have a safe seafront.”

Neither Bournemouth nor Poole council currently has plans to install cycle lanes along the promenade.

A Borough of Poole spokesperson said: “A cycle lane along the promenade in Poole has previously been considered by members, and cycling restrictions are in place during July and August.”

They said there had been “no serious incidents” involving pedestrians and cyclists in recent years.

Bournemouth council said the only reported incident they had on record was in 2016.

Last June, the Daily Echo reported that a three-year-old girl suffered a near miss with a bicycle.