Sir, Further to my previous correspondence and subsequent articles in the Peeblesshire News, I feel that now the better weather is upon us and the cyclists have begun to visit Innerleithen again it is time to resurrect the issue of cycling on the footpaths.

Last year before Christmas I highlighted the issues of adults cycling on the footpaths around the town and the dangers of this to pedestrians, the older members of our community and, in particular, the residents whose front doors open directly onto the footpaths.

I was gratified by the number of people who took the trouble to write in to the paper agreeing with my concerns and since then I have been approached by several people in the town who are also concerned that someone will be injured or worse in a collision with a fast moving adult cyclist on the footpath.

I was also concerned and disappointed by the comments which were attributed to a member of Innerleithen, Traquair and Glen Community Council in an article in the Peeblesshire News some time before Christmas to the effect that given the amount of traffic on Innerleithen High Street and Peebles Road, cycling on the footpath was the safest option!

The question which has to be asked is, cycling on the footpath is the safest option for who?

Is it the safest option for the older members of our community who are nearly knocked over by several adult cyclists buzzing them at speed on the footpath?

Is it the safest option for the residents of the town whose front door opens onto the High Street or Peebles Road and who have to look out of their door before stepping out for fear of being knocked over by an adult on a mountain bike?

Is it the safest option for mothers with prams or push chairs who have to back out of their front door in case a cyclist collides with their pram or push chair?

Is it the safest option for pet owners who have to hold their pet back on its lead when exiting their gate for fear of the animal being struck by an adult on a fast moving mountain bike?

It seems that there is no less than a little confusion here when such comments, if they are true of course, by representatives of our community say it is safer for adult cyclists to cycle on the footpath over the safety of the residents of the town.

We are not talking about a heinous crime here, we are talking about a lack of respect or consideration by visiting cyclists for the residents of Innerleithen.

Several suggestions have been made in an attempt to solve this issue, ie liaising with the organisers of bike events at the downhill course to highlight the problem, working with the local bike shops or local cycling organisations and signage, however there is little evidence of anything having been done at all!

I am fully aware of the economic benefits cycling brings to the area and this should be applauded and encouraged at every juncture, however such visitors do need to be reminded that it is important that local people should be able to go about their daily business without fear of being knocked over, injured or even worse.

A little respect and consideration is needed. This is not necessarily an enforcement issue but an education issue and I would appreciate some action before a serious incident occurs.

I am, etc.

Allan Johnston Innerleithen Sir, Further to my previous correspondence and subsequent articles in the Peeblesshire News, I feel that now the better weather is upon us and the cyclists have begun to visit Innerleithen again it is time to resurrect the issue of cycling on the footpaths.

Last year before Christmas I highlighted the issues of adults cycling on the footpaths around the town and the dangers of this to pedestrians, the older members of our community and, in particular, the residents whose front doors open directly onto the footpaths.

I was gratified by the number of people who took the trouble to write in to the paper agreeing with my concerns and since then I have been approached by several people in the town who are also concerned that someone will be injured or worse in a collision with a fast moving adult cyclist on the footpath.

I was also concerned and disappointed by the comments which were attributed to a member of Innerleithen, Traquair and Glen Community Council in an article in the Peeblesshire News some time before Christmas to the effect that given the amount of traffic on Innerleithen High Street and Peebles Road, cycling on the footpath was the safest option!

The question which has to be asked is, cycling on the footpath is the safest option for who?

Is it the safest option for the older members of our community who are nearly knocked over by several adult cyclists buzzing them at speed on the footpath?

Is it the safest option for the residents of the town whose front door opens onto the High Street or Peebles Road and who have to look out of their door before stepping out for fear of being knocked over by an adult on a mountain bike?

Is it the safest option for mothers with prams or push chairs who have to back out of their front door in case a cyclist collides with their pram or push chair?

Is it the safest option for pet owners who have to hold their pet back on its lead when exiting their gate for fear of the animal being struck by an adult on a fast moving mountain bike?

It seems that there is no less than a little confusion here when such comments, if they are true of course, by representatives of our community say it is safer for adult cyclists to cycle on the footpath over the safety of the residents of the town.

We are not talking about a heinous crime here, we are talking about a lack of respect or consideration by visiting cyclists for the residents of Innerleithen.

Several suggestions have been made in an attempt to solve this issue, ie liaising with the organisers of bike events at the downhill course to highlight the problem, working with the local bike shops or local cycling organisations and signage, however there is little evidence of anything having been done at all!

I am fully aware of the economic benefits cycling brings to the area and this should be applauded and encouraged at every juncture, however such visitors do need to be reminded that it is important that local people should be able to go about their daily business without fear of being knocked over, injured or even worse.

A little respect and consideration is needed. This is not necessarily an enforcement issue but an education issue and I would appreciate some action before a serious incident occurs.

I am, etc.

Allan Johnston Innerleithen