Birmingham City Council plans to impose fines on cyclists for dangerous riding in pedestrian areas, raising concerns among local cycling groups
Birmingham: Cyclists in the city are being warned that they could face criminal charges. The city council is rolling out plans to ban what they call ‘dangerous’ cycling in pedestrian areas. They’re thinking about a Public Space Protection Order that could hit cyclists with fines up to £100. But don’t worry, safe cycling will still be allowed, which some campaigners see as a bit of a win.
Under these new rules, if you’re caught cycling in a way that’s deemed ‘dangerous, careless, or inconsiderate’ in the pedestrian zone, you could be fined. And if you don’t pay up, that fine could jump to £1000. Thankfully, the council isn’t looking to ban cycling altogether, just the reckless riding.
The areas affected include Centenary Square and New Street near the Bullring shopping centre. The council knows there are mixed feelings about this. Some active travel advocates are calling the plans useless, saying they don’t really address the issue.
The council aims to enforce this quickly to tackle cycling that bothers pedestrians. They’ve made it clear that you can still walk or push your bike through these areas, and emergency services will be exempt.
In September 2024, local officers were asked to keep an eye on unsafe riding. They reported incidents like kids speeding on bikes and nearly hitting pedestrians. It’s clear that some cyclists are not being careful.
The council admits that not everyone will agree with this plan. They’ve taken a jab at cycling groups that have tried to limit discussions on the topic. They argue that the safety of pedestrians should come first, especially with the recent changes to the highway code.
Critics say this plan is just targeting behavior that’s already illegal, like modifying e-bikes. Martin Price from Better Streets for Birmingham thinks the council is wasting resources on this. He believes the proposals are too vague and won’t really solve the problem.
He pointed out that the council is just suggesting a rule that says you shouldn’t ride dangerously in certain areas. It seems like a bit of a half-measure, especially since those breaking the law are often on fast, illegal vehicles.
The consultation is open until January 31, 2025, and you can find more details on the Birmingham Be Heard website.
