Cyclists rally in Bournemouth to demand safer roads

Cyclists have taken to the streets of Bournemouth to campaign for a lower speed limit and more cycle lanes.

The group, Cycling Rebellion, are riding for safer roads for cyclists.

Cycling Rebellion founder Adam Osman stated how they’re “demonstrating the number of people in BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole), who want to cycle, but it simply isn’t safe.”

The event named ‘Critical Mass’, started on Boscombe high street, where many keen cyclists met to partake in a mass cycle ride.

Despite the wet weather, eight kilometres was cycled around Boscombe, Southbourne and Littledown.

Their current campaign, ‘Love 20’, aims to reduce the speed limit on residential streets to lower the risk of collisions.

Adam Osman added: “Our big campaign at the moment is the 20mph speed limit, which the council is looking at. No one wants to be passed on their bike at 30mph, it’s just not comfortable. So then people say why aren’t people cycling, well it’s not an enjoyable experience.”

Adam’s mum, Tracy Osman, was one of many cyclists who participated.

Commenting on her son’s achievements, Tracy said: “I’m very proud of him, I grew him up on bikes, I’ve never had a car, we’ve always cycled everywhere.”

Tracy described how the roads 30 years ago compared to now have become “impossible”, stating there “is a lack of respect from a lot of drivers.”

“We may not pay tax to use the roads like cars, but we are human beings, and children deserve bike lanes and the freedom of cycling.”

Wayne Collins, a worker for ‘OnYerBike’ bike shop in Charminster, agreed that Bournemouth roads are not safe for cyclists.

When asked if there should be more cycle lanes, Wayne said: “There should be, provided whoever puts them down knows what they’re doing, because most of the cycle lanes are done by the government who don’t actually ride the lanes to ensure they’re safe.”

Wayne explained how he has lots of people come into his shop with the back of their bikes hit as some cycle lanes cut across traffic.

Cycling Rebellion is continuing to raise awareness for their campaign with their next event ‘XMAS Critical Mass’ taking place on Sunday 3 December.