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What do you think about cycling on the Stray?

christine
i use the stray to cyclist on with my two children as going on the road is not safe only a couple of nights a go a man was knocked off his bike going round the prince of wales roundabout to use the stray is safer with children lets use the stray we all should use it for lots of other things as well we have all this open land lets use it

Fran
I Have just moved to Harrogate from London where I lived very close to Clapham Common, an area not dislike the stray apart from the amount of people that use it. There are Cycle paths on the common that do not in any way get in the way of walkers, sports players, picnicers and the like. I for one would certainly cycle more if paths were allowed, and reducing the risk of being hit by a car on the road, and the risk of becoming obese. Cost saving for the NHS!

Louise From Harrogate
Lets keep the stray for picnics and walkers and kids, there are enough dangers on our roads, how are we going to police the cyclist and making sure you've not got kids racing and doing tricks etc, I

Adam West
I have been cycling across the Stray for years, with consideration for others and noone has ever objected or seemed to mind.

Eric France
Keep the Stray a cycle free zone. Allowing would be the thin end of the wedge, and a precedent for other unwanted activities.

chris warburton
brilliant should be perfectly legal and should create no problems... It is a great and huge expanse of land that should be for all as a cycle way and a walkway.

Scott from Harrogate
I think yes we should have cycling allowed across the stray. The existing paths are more than adequate, and as for ruining the Stray, how about the mess the Fair leaves, or the cars that park on the sides on a saturday and sunday when football matches take place?Also am i not correct in saying every year there is a vintage car rally which drives directly onto the Stray? And for lighting - its a while since i have been on the cycle track around Bilton, but cant ever recall seeing row upon row of Lamp standards along the route.I am afraid it all sounds Nimby to me - Harrogate will never change and improve if people constantly complain about every little thing, we need to bite the bullet and sort our town out! We moan about Skipton and Wetherby road but when we get chance to do something about it, all we do is complain!!! Its about time Harrogate people stopped being so selfish and self-centred.

Stuart Mitchell
This simply must be allowed to happen. The width of a proposed cycle track is so insignificant compared to the size of the stray. We should be encouraging people to reduce traffic congestion. I think it's sad that a group of NIMBYs is allowed to dominate this debate.

Thomas Ranald
Remember the utter failure of the 'cafe society' idyll, resulting in more vandalism, drunkenness and violence. Be realistic, officially allowing cycling on the stray will encourage the antisocial activities of the legalised career cyclist with no thought other than to demonstrate their new 'rights'with their accustomed selfishness.

Peter Bell
Firstly, when was the "NO CYCLING on the Stray" bye law implemented ?? Also, where does the THREE METRE path come from? My street is three metres wide and has to cope with thirty ton Co-op wagons, pedestrians and bikes. I think I can see where the council is heading with this, can you?In Germany and Holland combined cycle/footpaths are only ONE AND A HALF metres wide!! Allegedly, some Harrogate councillors went to Holland to take a look at cycling over there ?!? I have just been to Germany and cyclists and peds get on together very well with a 1.5 metre footpath even in the city of Berlin. Of course they still have an observable and active police force. Finally, did anyone know that it is illegal to sell a bike without a bell but not illegal to remove it. Which 90% of cyclists seem to do.Happy Daze

Paul Goulden
Perhaps the motorists of harrogate would like to give up some of their tarmac to allow increased safe provision for cyclists on the roads instead of giving up the stray ?

Ron Williamson
In theory, cyclists and pedestrians should be able to share the existing footpaths in complete harmony. But it is the arrogant attitude of a lot (not all) cyclists that they have priority at all times over pedestrians, based one assumes, on their superior speed. A couple of years ago I walked the 152 miles of the C2C (the cycle route from coast to coast). Naturally I met a great many cyclists, the vast majority of whom did not rate a bell as a neccessity. On one occassion I was passed ON BOTH SIDES at the same time by a group of about twenty cyclists -and this on a path about 2 metres wide!! I would be in favour of cycling on the stray if the riders would live up to the expectation of 1.Giving way to pedestrians and 2. Giving warning of their approach by means of a bell.

Avril
All well and good, but where does it all end. After all, The Stray, would be a much safer place for those people riding motorbikes too. Let us also not forget about the ATV riders. Should one discriminate and open up a real bees nest, or, should one leave alone, that which has worked quite well for all these years.

arnold dearing
Cycling on The Stray is illegal and must stay that way. The Stray is HGs Jewel in the Crown and must stay as a traffic free open space.

Dave Prince
I have advocated cycling on the asphalt of the Stray for years now. Like the Stray Defence League I want no change to it physical state at all just the right to a long life something the roads of Harrogate look destined to deny me if I cycle on them to the stray defence league do themselves a diservice by suggesting allowing cycling on existing routes would require any works whatsover.

Mike
I am a keen cyclist and regularly cycle across the Stray on the existing footpaths. There is currently no problem with the width of existing paths if pedestrians are given right of way and cyclists dismount when the paths are busy.If the aim is to encourage cycling then cycling on the Stray will become more popular with or without cycle paths. More cyclists on the Stray means there will be an increasing risk of collisions unless some action is taken to minimise potential contacts. This means that we either have wardens and police spending time patrolling the Stray and handing out fines or widen the two or three key paths which link the stray with the centre of town. It is generally agreed that cycling is a good thing. With a bit of imagination we can work out a way to make some sympathetic and aesthetically pleasing changes that will enhance the character of the Stray as well as enabling more people to enjoy safe cycling.

David Mortimer
Cycling should use the paths already there or stay off altogther, the stray is for picnic's kicking a football, walking or just having a fun time. There is enought dangers on our roads, keep the stray safe

Roger Knowles
I was a cyclist long before I learned how to drive a car.I cycled on roads, I still cycle on roads....it's what they are built for. Keep cyclists off the Stray, let's keep an area for pedestrians and kids.

ian j fletcher
No reasonable person objects to motorised ivalid chairs using the Stray's existing paths.Surely there can be no objection to responsible,considerate cyclists who having and using a bell could travel safely.Unfortunately reason ,consideration and responsible behaviour is lacking these days.

Mike Brough
I am a member of the Stray Defence Association, and also a life long keen cyclist. I know that if cycling is officially approved it will mean widening footpaths to a standard 3 metres and I am opposed to this because parts of the Stray have already been sacrificed in the name of 'progress'. I find that the modern motorist is very considerate towards cyclists. While on a bike make yourself visible, predictable, and know the rules of the road and abide by them.

Bikerboy
Totally should transform The Stray and the attitudes of people driving 4x4's. Amsterdsm and Cambridge are how we can live - choice for mode of transport for a more diverse culture.

Andy Hale
At a time when Government seems intent on despoiling as much countryside as possible with either windfarms or houses then please let's keep something sacred and leave The Stray well alone.

Philip Hawkins
I think these regulations, as with all regulations, are written to cater for all situations (locations) in which one might want to establish a cycle path. I can see that rules would be established to protect cyclists from all the dangers that may be present.However, on the stray, none of these possible perils exist - to any measure.Do we know how many cyclists are chomping at the bit to get at the stray? Will the place suddenly be rendered uninhabitable by hordes of unruly cyclists?I have cycled on and around the stray from the age of 8, but if "official" cycling means 3m wide paths and bright lights, then it must not be done.

Darryl
I live and work in Harrogate, I fully intended to cycle to work and sold my car - however the narrow roads and appalling drivers put me right off, as on my first journey I was almost knocked off - surely sharing the paths of the stray is much safer than in the gutters of the surrounding roads. I would have no objection to signs saying "cyclists give way to pedestrians"

catherine carroll
we should be trying to get cars off the roads not cycles on the stray. The stray is beautiful it should be left alone.

Malcolm Margolis
It is absurd that cycling on the Stray is illegal. Similar paths elsewhere have routinely been shared by pedestrians and cyclists for decades. No doubt from time to time irresponsible cyclists are a problem, as are irresponsible walkers and dog owners, but that isn鈥檛 a reason to make any of those activities illegal.Two of us campaigning for legalised cycling on the Stray met with the Stray Defence Association last year. We discussed many of the points made by Judy d鈥橝rcy Thompson, and it is hugely disappointing to see the same nonsense repeated both here and in a leaflet they have distributed since the Radio York programme was aired.There is no question of 3m wide paths, or a Stray 鈥榗risscrossed with asphalt鈥� or 鈥榓venues of light polluting streetlamps.鈥� We are as against all this as is the Stray Defence Association. The July 2000 Harrogate Cycling Implementation Plan included certain Stray paths as a key part of a network of cycle routes across the town. We strongly believe this plan should be carried out. The Council has now budgeted 拢50,000 for a full public consultation on the issue, and we look forward to this process going ahead shortly.

mary waller
In 1922 when I was six my father was told off by a policeman for teaching me to ride my new bike on the Stray.Keep it that way

raymond nowell
i think we should let people use the stray then the roads as cars knock people off bikes easy but bikes should use lights

A Bannatyne
What a load of tosh. It is quite possible to have cycling on the Stray and still maintain its current appearance, there is no suggestion of all this 'crisscrossing asphalt' that is mentioned whatsoever. If indeed the council's report does state that the minimum width for a cycle path is 3.0m, perhaps someone can explain why the uber-limited cycle provisions within the town barely scrape 75cm and equally contentiously do not actually go anywhere. They are, at best, aesthetic additions to busy roads. I have and probably will cycle on the stray in the future. I have also had a barbeque on it, even though this is also 'prohibited'. As a lifelong resident of the town I do not need some kind of over-zealous busybody telling me, a genuine town resident and therefore part 'owner' of the stray telling me what to do with it. Did the original act say thou shalt not cycle or enjoy oneself with delicious raw-in-the-middle, black on the outside sausages? No it did not. Get the bees from your bonnet and celebrate the fact we have such a facility instead of attempting to force everyone to use it as you would wish to use it. It is for all of us, not just the committee of irritating bye-laws.

Richard Hersey
For goodness sake,can't someone sort this out! The Stray is enormous. Cylists just want to cross it. In Cambridge this works fine. Their paths across similar areas of inner city grassland are dual use. People are sensible.Do we have to wait for a cyclist to be killed on the surrounding roads before we open up small paths across the Stray? Cars kill cyclists- cyclists do not kill pedestrians. Paths do not need to be floodlit. They do not need to be very wide. Existing paths will do fine and serve to ensure cyclists go slowly and carefully. It is NOT like getting peace in the Middle East- it is easy- just do it.

Steve Wilson
Yvonne makes a great case for cycling which is in the spirit of the original legacy. An elderly lady down our street would love to cycle to keep fit but wants and needs somewhere safe from cars. What better place do it than round the Stray. The Stray Defence Association use very emotive language which doesn't help the debate. The Stray does not need to be "crisscrossed with ashphalt" to allow cycling. If they worked with the cyclists in a sensible wy then progress acceptable to both could be achieved.

Harrogate Owl
The only argument against allowing cycling evinced by Judy d'A T with any merit is the lighting issue. The stray is already 'criss-crossed with asphalt', but its pedestrian use doesn't seem to require the addition of lighting. Why should its use by cyclists ? Or is this just black propaganda ?

Joe Smith
It's a question of balance; do the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. It is not necessary to cover the Stray in tarmac or put up lots of lights; many cyclists already cycle on the Stray illegally, but present a very low risk to other users. As long as cyclist give way to pedestrians and cycle with consideration, I do not feel that allowing cycling on the Stray will significantly impair the wonderful benefits that the Stray offers in Harrogate.

Eric Waters
Like most cyclists, I am also a motorist. Surely it is in the interests of all Harrogate road users (and the council!) to reduce traffic congestion by encouraging cycling by those who are willing and able to do so. However cycling around the centre of Harrogate is dangerous and therefore many would-be cyclists add to the congestion by using their cars. Allowing cycling on the Stray would encourage fewer car journeys. I'm not asking for 'wide tarmacadam, lighting, increased signage, apalling visual impact, avenues of light polluting street lights' as suggested by Judy D'Arcy Thompson - that's actually what I want to get away from! Cyclists also want to keep the Stray green, whilst reducing traffic congestion and CO2 emissions.

David Preston
As a cyclist I and many other cyclists applaud the the aims of the Stray Defence Assoc in keeping the Stray free from development. However The Stray is for Harrogate people and visitors to enjoy, and cycling is a healthy pollution free form of enjoyment. Note in 1938 the CTC rally had 2,000 cyclists on the Stray.Attended by the Mayor & Mayoress of Harrogate

Wendy Hill
I agree with the campaign for cycling on the stray - it is a much safer way of cycling and especially crossing the busy Empress Roundabout. There are 200 acres - surely enough to cater for everyone. Who said we need to tarmac paths? - we can manage on the paths/grass which already exist.

Mike Brough
I think that it is important that the roads are made safe for cyclists, and that taking a piece of our cherrished Stray is effectivly side stepping the issue. Motorists must be educated into respecting the cyclist as they are in other European countries. Pushing bikes on to the stray only postpones the moment when the cyclist must join a road.

Helen
I don't see why the Stray would have to be "crisscrossed with asphalt". Why not just widen the existing path which runs along the edge and is already lit? It may not provide a direct route for all cyclists, but it would certainly be useful for some and perhaps could be used as a study into the feasability of widening other paths. I, too, would object to paths all over the Stray and think that it would be ridiculous to try to provide links between all possible entry and exit points. However, as an occasional cyclist I can assure you cycling in Harrogate can be terrifying and anything which gives a little more off-road relief to cyclists should be welcome. I would love Harrogate Borough Council to be really adventurous and pledge to provide cycling paths throughout the town. We could become an example for other towns to follow. There are so many wide footpaths and stretches of grass between footpaths and roads which surely could be converted into cycle paths? We are lucky to have so much open and green space in Harrogate - can't we afford to sacrifice a little for a good cause? Cycling is healthy and environmentally friendly - can't we give it more priority?

Paul Hepworth
The master plan for Harrogate's Cycle network has been planned in accordance with technical advice issued by the Dept. for Transport. It has identified that a few of the Stray's many paths have the potential to act as key links in the overall cycle network, avoiding what would otherwise be significant detours along heavily trafficed radial roads. Such enforced detours would render the cycle network ineffective and would not encourage a switch to pedal power for local journeys.

Chris
Keep cycling OFF the stray - especially if it means wider footpaths, signs and lighting

david cardus
I think responsible cycling on the stray should be encouraged, i think the paths should be widened to provide separation between cyclists and pedestrians...surely this path would still be classed as open and not enclosed !