The Peterborough Telegraph recently reported that “Cyclists caught riding their bikes on Bridge Street have been hit in the pocket at court.”

Is it me, or does that seem a tad contradictory for a local authority that claims, it wishes to be “regarded as the UK’s Environment Capital“?

• It seems even more hypocritical when you note that in Peterborough City Council‘s own Environment Action Plan, states an aim to become a “pedestrian, public transport and cycle first city and 90% of all journeys will be zero emission.“
• The position becomes even more demented, when you note read that the Council’s Environment Action Plan – City-Wide document, says they want to “encourage more people to reduce their reliance on cars and instead walk, cycle…”
• You may remember that in 2012, I put forward the suggestions for a cycle lane along Bridge Street?
• I even ran a petition that received hundreds of supporters for the idea.
• I went to the effort of putting a formal motion at a meeting of Full Council calling for the Council to introduce a cycle lane along Bridge Street, but sadly the Tories all voted against the idea.

Rohan Wilson, area manager for Cambridgeshire Sustrans, a group which campaigns for improved cycle networks, pointed out that at Cathedral Square and Long Causeway, pedestrians and cyclists co-exist, adding “We believe that could be repeated in Bridge Street.”

What do YOU think?