Following the failure of South Yorkshire Police to prevent motorists illegally intimidating cyclists, action was taken to ease the situation.
One of the busiest commuter routes into Sheffield city centre is the Ecclesall Road corridor leading to the Moore Street roundabout on the inner ring road. A bus lane along this road is intended to speed the passage of buses, taxis and cycles. However impatient motorists frequently cut into this priority, often at short notice, and in doing so endanger cyclists and hold up buses. As South Yorkshire Police turn a blind eye to this law breaking, cyclists today decided to assert their rights to safe passage.
On the National Day of Action against Road Traffic Speed organised by Transport 2000 members of Pedalpushers, a Sheffield cyclist campainging grounp, took their own action. A series of posters were displayed along Ecclesall Road drawing attention to injuries to cyclists caused by motorists. Bicycles, including a tandem, were used to blockade the bus lane in a zone where it is most abused by motorists. An advance warning system was established to give umimpeeded passage to buses and taxis and motorists were redirected to their authorised lanes. Most car drivers used the advance warning of the posters and the distant flash of relective jackets to realign themselves. The pesistent few, mostly comprising a single person in an expensive vehicle were prevented from proceedeing illegally. Many encouraging waves and supportive toots from other car drivers showed that motorists resent selfish driving too.
On the National Day of Action against Road Traffic Speed organised by Transport 2000 members of Pedalpushers, a Sheffield cyclist campainging grounp, took their own action. A series of posters were displayed along Ecclesall Road drawing attention to injuries to cyclists caused by motorists. Bicycles, including a tandem, were used to blockade the bus lane in a zone where it is most abused by motorists. An advance warning system was established to give umimpeeded passage to buses and taxis and motorists were redirected to their authorised lanes. Most car drivers used the advance warning of the posters and the distant flash of relective jackets to realign themselves. The pesistent few, mostly comprising a single person in an expensive vehicle were prevented from proceedeing illegally. Many encouraging waves and supportive toots from other car drivers showed that motorists resent selfish driving too.
