General News
18 August, 2023
Cyclists on footpath a pain for business
Cyclists, skateboarders and scooter riders are causing a headache for Horsham businesses - with one saying his customers are involved in one or two incidents every week. Horsham Sports and Community Club manager Glenn Carroll said the primary issue...
Cyclists, skateboarders and scooter riders are causing a headache for Horsham businesses - with one saying his customers are involved in one or two incidents every week.
Horsham Sports and Community Club manager Glenn Carroll said the primary issue was adult cyclists using the pavement in front of the club.
“I know it’s a tricky one with kids on footpaths riding bikes, skateboards and scooters but it’s actually illegal for adults to ride on a footpath,” Mr Carroll said.
“We don’t want to see the kids put in a situation where they’re on the main highway but there are plenty of other ways to travel around.
“It’s important that they’re kept safe but it’s also important that pedestrians are given the opportunity to walk around the CBD in a safe manner.”
Mr Carroll said the club experienced one or two guest-related incidents per week.
“There are one or two incidents every week where we have people who've been hit or just missed around the club, and it’s not just leaving the club.
“Sometimes coming inside the club, someone has been walking around the corner from the little car park.
“I’ve spoken to plenty of local businesses that have the same problems with the bikes down the main street or Darlot Street or all the little streets in between.”
Mr Carroll said one guest was almost injured in a night-time encounter in front of the club a few weeks ago.
“We can't change the front of the club to allow a bit more space at the door so I think it's a lot about education and awareness.
“It might not necessarily be the person walking out the door of a local business that ends up injured - it might be the person on the bike or the scooter or the skateboard.
“We’ve informed council several times and they’ve told me they do visit the schools and speak with the students."
Horsham Rural City Council's manager of Community Services and Safety Mandi Stewart said council would place warning signs on walkways near the CBD advising cyclists to stay off the footpaths.
She said council staff had also visited schools, and information about the warning signs would be published in newsletters.
However, council would not go so far as installing bollards on footpaths as these would cause difficulties for people using mobility scooters.
Mr Carroll said it could be helpful if police patrolled the footpaths at peak periods.
"We simply want everyone to feel secure," he said.
"Not only should those who are riding bicycles be kept secure, but so should those who are just walking around the city."
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