A CYCLIST has hit out at motorists who park on pavements and across cycle lanes, saying, “I don’t want to be killed by someone who can’t see me having to swerve away from the cycle lane."
And he's accused BCP Council of “not caring” about a perceived increase in drivers parking on cycle lanes and double yellow lines across Bournemouth.
Resident Nick Hall has urged the council to take action after he was knocked off his bike recently by a parking driver and has photographed numerous examples of illegal parking.
He said: “There are no traffic wardens anywhere to be seen and I’m being forced into traffic or made to swerve by drivers parking illegally.
“Some will park on the pavement and go off and some will park on the cycle lanes and just sit on their phones.
“I don’t want to be killed by someone who can’t see me having to swerve away from the cycle lane. Sometimes I’ll move onto the path to avoid the cars but then people moan when I do that as I’m then breaking the rules. It is quite infuriating.
“I'm totally fed up with the council and police doing absolutely nothing to enforce the laws which protect cyclists in Bournemouth. Why have cycle lanes with double yellow lines when it's just an invitation to park there as no one is ever moved or even challenged over it?”
Nick added he has confronted some drivers for parking there, but says he is mostly “berated and abused”. He said: “They just shout and scream that they’ll only here for a minute, but a minute is all it takes.”
Regarding improvement to cycle lanes across the area, Nick said: “The fact is that even if they widen all cycle lanes, I think people will still park on them. There needs to be more ways to prevent drivers from doing it.”
A BCP Council spokesperson said: “To ensure road safety, maintain access to properties, support businesses and keep traffic flowing, our parking enforcement team carries out regular patrols on all roads in our area as often as possible. Vehicles that are seen to be parking illegally and on double yellow lines will receive a penalty charge notice.
“If a resident does see a vehicle parking illegally, please call 01202 128900, where we will endeavour to send a patrol to the area as quickly as possible.”
The council also urged residents to email parking@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or visit bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Parking/Report-an-illegally-parked-vehicle.aspx for general enquiries.
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