‘Bristol & Bath Railway Path must be accessible to all’

At its best, the Bristol & Bath Railway Path provides a safe, scenic, off-road route for cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users.

But as the numbers travelling on the popular path have increased, so has the level of conflict, with the danger of speeding bikes and lack of courtesy putting some people off using it altogether.

Cycling charity Sustrans is hoping to tackle this growing problem with the launch of the One Path initiative, which promotes positive behaviour, care and respect on the shared pathway.

A mystery artist is begging cyclists to slow down.

Issues that are all-too-familiar for nearby residents are highlighted with the words ‘lycra man, please slow down’ boldly chalked onto the tarmac by a mystery street artist.

And at the zebra crossing on the path by Whitehall Primary School, a ‘slow down’ sign lights up as yet another rider zooms past.

Of course, the blame does not solely lie with male cyclists clad in tight-fitting clothes – many of whom are perfectly respectful – and recent reports of attacks along the path have fuelled fresh, more sinister concerns. But the message is that all users should respect others.

James Cleeton says he has experienced many of the issues on the path himself.

“At peak times, the path is very congested and is experiencing increased levels of conflict,” says James Cleeton, a Sustrans director and Fishponds resident.

“This is damaging its value to the communities it serves, because the least confident and most vulnerable users are dissuaded from using it.”

The initiative has been developed in partnership with the path’s newly-established community stewardship group, Up our Street, and the councils that own and manage the path (Bristol City Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council).

Dave Iles relies on the path for his health and well being, but regularly finds it dangerous and congested.

Dave Iles, a Battersea Road resident who regularly uses the path, says the behaviour and speed of some cyclists has become a real issue – particularly at peak times.

“I had a stroke and with that comes anxiety and depression,” he says. “So I started walking along the path and it helps me just to get out among the greenery and get some exercise.

“When cyclists are hammering towards each other, it gets dangerous. You do not always hear them coming.

“I’m bloody-minded so it won’t stop me using the path, but it does hinder my enjoyment of it.

There are approximately four million trips each year on the 13-mile long path, making it one of the busiest dedicated traffic-free routes in the UK.

A recent survey counted more than 5,000 trips a day along the Whitehall section alone. Numbers peak during the morning and evening rush hours, with nearly 1,000 people using this section between 8am and 9am.

Mhairi Threlfall, Bristol City Council’s cabinet member for transport says: “Conflict between pedestrians and cyclists is a growing challenge as more people choose to travel short journeys sustainably, by foot or bike, and we are concerned about anything which could disrupt or dissuade people from continuing these journeys.”

Zoe Banks-Gross says the path must be accessible for everyone

Zoe Banks-Gross, a Bristol-based environmentalist and founder of East Bristol Kidical Mass, adds: “The path is an ecological corridor, an oasis for human city dwellers and an excellent traffic-free resource for everyone, not just people on road bikes going fast,” she says. “We need to share it and make sure it stays accessible for everyone.”

Questionnaire interviews will be undertaken over the next few weeks at various points on the Bristol section of the path, where most of the issues have arisen. Ideas for physical changes will also be collected for consideration at a later date.

Alan Gentry, Fishponds neighbourhood beat sergeant, is encouraging people to report any concerns or incidents.

Alan Gentry, Fishponds neighbourhood beat sergeant, said that patrols have been increased along the path in the wake of recent attacks, and encouraged anyone with concerns to speak to officers while out on patrol, or report them to the police.

The force confirmed officers are investigating a small number of recent incidents and say they are taking the reports very seriously.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Jo Babbage said: “We’d urge anyone who spots groups of young people being intimidating, anti-social or blocking the path to call 101, or 999 if they fear a crime is being committed.”

Police will be holding drop-in sessions at Morrisons in Fishponds at 1pm on Tuesday (August 14) and 6pm on Thursday (August 16).

A reclaim the Bristol & Bath Railway Path event is also planned for 7.30pm on Tuesday, with people gathering in the park by Trinity Street, before heading in a procession up past Croydon Street to Whitehall Road.

Read more: Warning to cyclists following attacks on Bristol & Bath Railway Path