SOMEONE is going to be killed unless something is done to stop cyclists riding on pavements, a resident has claimed.
Sally Fenwick, from Polsloe, said she was almost hit by three separate cyclists in the short distance between Tesco in Fore Street, Heavitree, and the junction with Church Street.
The problem of pavement cycling has been a top priority for the neighbourhood police team for months and patrols are occasionally carried out.
But Mrs Fenwick said more needs to be done.
"The three of them whizzed past. I said to one of them why are you on the pavement and just got a rude gesture in return," she said.
"What they are doing is dangerous – they don't know if people walking on the pavement are suddenly going to change direction to cross the road or whatever and there is no way they would be able to stop to avoid hitting them."
Yolonda Henson, city councillor for Polsloe, said: "They are travelling at such speed, especially when they are coming down an incline, they are going to kill somebody one day.
"And if you say something to them you usually just get verbal abuse.
"Something really has to be done about this."
Cllr Henson added: "It is not confined to Heavitree Fore Street, I am getting concerned about the number of cyclists in Princesshay, particularly in the area from Next down towards Southernhay."
PC Gary Wall, neighbourhood beat manager for Heavitree and Polsloe, said: "This remains a continuing priority where a number of complaints have been received regarding people using undesignated footpaths for cycling. It has created some problems locally with some of the local residents, particularly the elderly.
"This priority is under constant observation and dealt with robustly. We have periodic high-visibility police patrols in certain areas at various times in order to address the problem and advise and if necessary the issue of fixed penalty notices will be made."
Princesshay Shopping Centre has no current restrictions on cycling in the centre. The area between Next and Giraffe is legally a public highway and the centre has no objections to cyclists using this area.
Wayne Pearce, Centre Director, said: "While we have no restriction on cyclists coming through the centre, we do of course remind cyclists to act responsibly and to be mindful of pedestrians.
"Our security team are on hand to address any issues that pedestrians may have with cyclists that are not acting responsibly."
