Police crackdown on Cornmarket cyclists
Police last week launched a crackdown on Oxford's "dangerous and inconsiderate" cyclists.
A team of Thames Valley Police officers on Wednesday and Friday targeted cyclists who ignore traffic signals, cycle in prohibited areas or ride at night withou lights. Those caught were liable to a £30 fine. Police have indicated that the campaign, which also aimed to find stolen bikes, is likely to be repeated again.
PC David Roberts-Ablett said: "Some cyclists are being inconsiderate to pedestrians and ignoring laws that are there for their safety as well as the safety of other road users. I regularly see cyclists going through red lights and not using proper lighting on their bikes."
Cyclists are banned from Queen Street and Cornmarket between 10am and 6pm.
Yet The Oxford Student noted 11 cyclists riding illegally in under 20 minutes, many of them students.
One student, who claims to have been nearly run over recently, said: "I'm glad the council is taking action against these rebels. It's not just students who suffer; the young, elderly and blind are seriously at risk."
18th Nov 2004