Cycling through Darlington’s pedestrianised town centre poses no threat to shoppers, a study has concluded.
Four years after it was proposed, cycling through the town centre was given the green light last year.
From January to March, the police recorded no incidents involving cyclists within the town centre area.
They have recorded just two separate incidents in the same area involving pedestrians.
In one incident, two people stepped in front of a car. The second time, a bus hit a pedestrian. Both resulted in minor injuries.
From January to April, only one email has been sent to either the police or council complaining about cycling in the town centre.
Officers have also conducted survey counts to record the levels of cyclists and pedestrians using the town centre.
In January, there were 22 per cent more cyclists than the same month in 2008. The figures for April showed a 37 per cent increase on the previous year. There were 1,216 cyclists recorded during April 2009.
Figures for pedestrians show the figures have remained constant with a slight increase in April 2009.
Full support was given for the proposals as the result of a successful trial period, although council officers promised to monitor the situation.
A council report on the situation said: "The data that has been collected appears to show that cycling levels are continuing to increase into the town centre whilst accidents do not appear to be increasing."
A code of conduct for cyclists has also been drawn up. Copies of the code were handed out, along with safety equipment including lights, bells and high-visibility vests, at an information event in February.
Why don't you offer to give home some tips?
It's a stabiliser, it was first used in WW2 to preserve chocolate in US rations. It allows the milk solids to fully dissolve, US chocolate is less...
LOL , me too the other day, I was on my GSD and got stuck behind a Cadillac Escalade (I think that is what they are called). It was so fat and over...
?
The deterrent effect is almost certainly due to the massively increased likelihood of the offence being detected. As with other crimes, if the...
As a member of the Co-op community (I live in a Housing Co-op) and a bike owner /rider, this is very sad news. We need more Co-ops not less.
It is sad for the individuals concerned but (and this is a general point, rather than specific to this story), we're much better off overall for...
I agree with Pogacar regarding social media. The likes of Facebook, Instagram have done untold damage, especially to the minds of young people....
Lorry carrying 25 tonnes of beer catches fire on the M11...
That looks like a fun bike. Frame only, 2 and an 1/2 grand.