Pensioner's warning someone 'could be killed' by 'speeding' cyclists on city road

A Nottingham cycling group said the issue would be reduced if "roads were safer"

A Nottingham pensioner has expressed her worries about road safety on a street just outside Nottingham city centre after she has been knocked into by cyclists numerous times. Pat Robinson, 81, has lived on Portland Road for the past 40 years and says that she has spotted cyclists "hurtling down" nearby Waverley Street, along the Arboretum, despite cycle lanes on either side of the road.

She claims that a lot of the cyclists creating problems are either riding Lime e-bikes or are delivery riders. Ms Robinson said: "Every time I walk down Waverley Street, they come hurtling down the pavement from behind me.

"I get sworn at and I've been knocked into and when I've told them to use the cycle lanes, I've been given a V sign. When I had my dogs, who died last year, I was walking along the Arboretum and a delivery person came wheezing behind me and knocked into my dog.

"It's dreadful that no one is doing anything about it. One day, someone will be knocked over and injured or even killed. It just seems that people using e-bikes think they have a carte blanche to whizz down pavements."

Another elderly resident, John Foxon, echoed Ms Robinson's opinion. He said: "I think the cycling on the pavements is completely out of hand here. It's one of the reasons I don't like going into town.

"It's become a lot worse since the e-bikes and scooters were introduced. There doesn't seem to be any attempts from authorities to stop this. Delivery bikes make it even worse in this area."

Jay Barnum, 39, added: "There are also a lot of bikes lying around on pavements which is not good for me because I have disabilities and mobility issues. I can walk, but there are people who can't so the bikes get them in big trouble."

Sam Dennis, 20, said that cyclists sometimes get "very close to hitting someone". He explained: "There are some cyclists who pull onto the pavement and go a bit too fast but I think it's generally pretty safe.

"There can be swerving and sometimes they can get very close to hitting people." A spokesman for Pedals, a charity campaigning for safer cycling in Nottingham, said, however, that the issues would be reduced if the roads were safer.

David Smith, from Pedals, said: "Pedals always encourages legal, safe and courteous cycling and we work closely with Ridewise who are very active in this area. I've not cycled there myself recently but may be that there is an issue on Waverley Street caused by the hill and the tram lines."

Mr Smith explained that tram lines provide an extra hazard for cyclists as attempting to cross them at an angle that is too narrow, the front wheel of a bike could deflect, causing the rider to fall. He said: "Wet weather increases the risk as the rails become more slippery.

"Cyclists will often try to avoid tram lines for this reason, particularly at tram stops. The cycle lanes on Waverley Street only extend between Raleigh Street and Shakespeare Street, the lower part of the hill.

"I expect that higher up the hill the tram stop means that it was too narrow for the lanes to go all the way to the top. This may mean that some cyclists begin the descent on the pavement, to avoid the tracks, and then do not rejoin the road where the cycle lane begins, perhaps because of speed due to the hill."

Mr Smith also expressed his concern about the behaviour of some delivery riders. He said: "The behaviour of some food delivery cyclists is a concern to Pedals supporters as it threatens to bring cycling generally into disrepute.

"Part of the problem is that the internet-based food delivery companies do not employ the riders directly and so refuse to become involved with complaints. I understand that Ridewise has approached some, offering free rider training, but were turned down.

"It is important to realise that people cycle on the pavement, even though they know they should not, because it is dangerous to cycle on the road. If roads were safer the problem would be reduced.

"Pedals believes that segregated cycling infrastructure, such as the Castle Boulevard 'cycle superhighway', is the best way to achieve this but there is not always room, and so in some places pedestrians, cyclists and motorists all need to coexist harmoniously, being courteous and aware of each others relative vulnerabilities."

A spokesperson for Lime also explained that the company can warn, fine or ban people for using its bikes irresponsibly. They said: "We are sorry to hear these reports of unsafe and antisocial behaviour involving Lime users.

"We have worked with Nottingham City Council and local community groups to create a safe and well used service here. All Lime riders are required to complete in-app safety training before their first ride and our bikes are capped at a top speed of 15.5mph.

"We add slower speed zones in sensitive areas and warn, fine and ban people for using our service irresponsibly."