THERE are a “huge amount of families that want to cycle” in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, according to a cycle group.
Poole-based Cycle Rebellion is making a number of demands to help the case for a better cycling experience in the conurbation.
The group held a mass bicycle ride in parts of Bournemouth on Sunday, October 29, in a bid to raise the profile of pedal power.
Adam Osman, founder of Cycling Rebellion and campaigner, said: “We have to think about making cycling for everyone.”
Despite wet weather, dozens of cyclists turned up to make their point for a “radical change in cycling infrastructure in BCP”.
The group cycled about five miles around Boscombe, Southbourne and Littledown, brandishing colourful flags and fancy dress for the Halloween Critical Mass event.
Read more: Council in 'early stages' to bring in more 20mph speed limits
“You need to look at the current infrastructure and ask yourself, would you feel comfortable with your kids cycling there?” Adam added.
“Because that is a safe town to live in, one that accommodates every form of transport.
“That’s why we’re riding today, to show the huge amount of families in BCP who want to cycle, and that we need to make big changes to make it liveable.
“We’re calling on the implementation of a 20mph speed limit in BCP to make BCP safe for families.”
BCP Council has said it is in the “early stages” of proposing a lot more 20mph speed limits across neighbourhoods.
Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for the environment, said a “full” public consultation would be put to residents before any decision was made.
A poll by the Echo revealed 82 per cent of residents don’t want a blanket 20mph speed limit in their area while 17 per cent said yes and just one per cent said they didn’t know.
BCP Council’s opposition leader Cllr Phil Broadhead said the council should not look for “unpopular schemes” to make life “harder for working people”.
Cycling Rebellion has been holding monthly 'Critical Mass' cycles across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to campaign for safer infrastructure in the area.
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