Park cycling ban followed just two complaints
Thursday 26th August 2010, 2:29PM BST.
Velo Club cycling development officer Rob Smart says it is important for families to be able to ride together in Saumarez Park. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 1015304)
THE Environment Department stopped children from the age of 10 cycling in Saumarez Park on the basis of two complaints, it has been revealed.
The department confirmed the number after being pressed for answers by the Guernsey Press. The response appears in stark contrast to the department’s original justification for enforcing the ban.
In that statement, issued on 12 August, Environment claimed it had received ‘numerous’ complaints during the last two years.
But a spokesman has now confirmed that it had taken just two complaints for it to launch the crackdown.
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seriously?
What next, alloted times for different groups of people so that no one offends or upsets anyone else!!!
It’s a public park for crying out loud, this island’s really losing it’s grip on reality!!!
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What’s this? Cycling in beautiful Sausmarez Park!? What year did that start happeing? Cycling should not be permitted in Sausmarez Park under any circumstances. It’s a park, for Heavens sake, a green haven, a place to escape to for peace and quiet not just another area open to abuse as a race track!!
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Come on, Expat80 – there’s a world of difference between Mum, Dad and the kids cycling gently around the park and Lance Armstrong doing time trials!
All it takes is a bit of common sense and courtesy…traits that sadly seems to be drowning in a sea of self-centredness and red tape.
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So cycling is banned on the basis of two complaints. Presumably if more than two people complain about the ban, cycling will be allowed again. The person who made the decision to ban cycling is clearly incapable of making a good judgement and therefore should not be in any office of authority.
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I’ve got to say, I agree with Expat80 on this.
Paul, as much as I agree that its nice for families to cycle around the park, the fact that by allowing families to cycle, you allow everyone to cycle, and unfortunately, there will always be the cyclists who take the “proverbial” whenever they are allowed to do so. I’ve seen teenagers flying round that place all it would take is for a toddler to wander in front of one, and we’ve got a much bigger problem than razor death tape.
Its sad, but it seems to be the way of things nowadays, the few ruining things for the many.
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Two complaints, oh heavens. I may complain about the rain at the moment, the environment may look into a system costing hundreds of millions to prevent the rain. Might get a friend to call up too, then there would be numerous complaints.
What would the Police do if a 11-16 year old was riding in the park? I personally will continue to ride in the park.
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I would like to complain about the danger caused by those who play football, cricket, and run about in the park but need a seconder, anyone with me ?
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Can I ask, in all sincerity, what the sanctions are should I be caught cycling in the park? Do we have park wardens here? Will I be given a custodial sentence, given the dire nature of this terrible deed?
What about roller skaters or skateboarders? Will they be banned next?
What a load of s***. If anything, I would ban ALL cyclists from our roads.
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Two complaints?
Wow!
What about all the dog owners illegally allowing their dogs to run around off the lead?
Why is nothing done about this?
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I don’t make a habit of cycling in the park but will not stop doing so because of two complaints.
There is nothing wrong with cycling there. As Expat80 points out “It’s a park, for Heavens sake”.
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“Numerous’ always means ‘not many and certainly not enough for us to feel comfortable being honest with you’
2 always means 2.
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Dear points of view, I’m going to go for a cycle in the park later today. Please tell the police they can meet me there at 6pm, anyone else care to join me for a cycle, then a free room for the night courtesy of the constabulary?
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OMG what is happening to guernsey
ok these two children that got hurt by razor tape was sad but to stop children over the age of 10 I think as long as they ride carefully then ok but this is a park what else next?
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Here comes the dog owner argument again… C’mon! Seriously?
Banning cycling in the park is just nonsense. I bet they will open it up again soon. They probably just had to seem like doing something after the complaints.
Like when there was a complaint in Cambridge Park about a little terrier biting some lady’s hand, for 2 weeks there were 2 police officers walking about every morning. And then that was it.
It’s all because of people with no common sense whatsoever.
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2 complaints and no cycling for over 10′s
as for banning dogs mrspinthepantry, it’s a park, where else are us dogs suppose to run, we’re banned from beaches.
like all these things its about being considerate.
why can’t you humans just get on with each other an realise life is for enjoying.
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Although the Environment Dept is often given grief, in many cases, we are not aware of the full story. This is another example.
I spoke to the Dept about the cycling ban and was told that a steady stream of complaints had been received, over the last two years or so. It was just the most recent incident that had generated the two complaints referred to.
These two complaints, far from being the only ones, were the straws that broke the camel’s back.
The selective reporting of the Press regarding this story has stirred up some frustration. However on this occasion, the true villains are not the Environment Dept but the inconsiderate few on bikes who have spoilt it for others.
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Boxerdog, dogs aren’t banned on all beaches, there’s some horrible ones which nobody goes on, why not use those? Or pick up you S***
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Reading the Guernsey press, the island seems to have imported many administrators, managers etc., from the U.K. mainland. You are proceeding down the PC and Jobsworth route at an alarming rate. Will you allow your Island and environment to be destroyed in such a manner. You had better stand up for yourselves very quickly or endure the consequences.
Regards
Anthony Barden Bretagne.
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Anthony Barden
100% spot on
Unfortunately Guernsey tends to lag about five years behind the UK so it will take us some time to catch up with the coalition’s apparent relaxing of the ridiculous PC ways of the Blair/Brown era
I would also guess that much of it is caused by over staffing where bored people are looking for something to justify their existence
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Dear GG as you quiet rightly say dogs aren’t banded from all beaches, I disagree about the horrible description you make of Guernsey beaches, but excluding people from doing things is not very progressive. I also agree with you about picking up which is why i insist that my owner does. again the few spoiling it for the majority. then again when was the last time you saw someone prosecuted for these sort of issues. as the police say it is not high on their priority, therefore if it is not to be enforced what is the point the considerate ones, cyclists, dogs, dog owners etc will be responsible the few won’t and nothing will be done that introducing a ban that is then not enforced.
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Banning over 9′s from cycling in the park? Whatever next? The park is a public park for EVERYONE to enjoy as they wish. Who’s to say a ten year old is more of a nuisance than a toddler who doesn’t even know they have brakes! It’s ridiculous.
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Perhaps you all need to check your facts and find out the truth before you make judgements and make offensive comments – it is not fair to pick fault at those who manage the park, they are actually really nice guys who only want the best for the everyone who enjoys the park. What they are asking is not unreasonable.
As the original article said, this IS NOT staff making rules, simply highlighting laws which have been in force for years.
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How about taking your dog up pleinmont area or lancresse, plenty of space! So can someone check me on this. If i am taking my 6 year old son to the park with his bike, i am NOT allowed to take my bike and ride it around the park?????
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Staceyferb
Yep that is what they are saying so so sad
so you will have to run behind your 6 year old.
What is the world coming to???? it’s not fair the kids have nothing wrong but they are being let down.
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I’ve ridden my bicycle through the park everyday for the past month now, I haven’t been arrested, why is this?
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GG
Because you’re under 10 years old I imagine.
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GG – Because the police have more pressing things to deal with in case you hadn’t noticed!
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GG- because you are an idiot and you do not contribute in any way to the quality of island life.
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Not only is this ban ridiculous, it is also currently unenforceable. Personally I will reluctantly comply with the law but given that the Police cannot patrol the park area 24/7 – and rightly so as there are far more important matters to consider – I would imagine many will simply disregard it.
Years ago there used to be a Park Keeper who would patrol and attempt to enforce these rules – I remember having a few run ins with him as a teenager riding my ‘chang. I believe he was a special constable so had considerable powers to enforce the law, he just wasn’t very nimble on his feet to catch annoying little scroats like myself.
Unless such an arrangement is brought back, I really don’t think this new ban will change a great deal. I can’t imagine many St John’s Hostel residents attempting a citizen’s arrest.
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