'Inconsiderate and dangerous' cyclists face action

A public consultation over plans to crack down on "inconsiderate and dangerous" cycling and skateboarding in Birmingham is set to finish this week.

The city council is considering introducing a public space protection order (PSPO) to deal with the problem in the city centre.

It said residents and visitors had complained about "near misses and accidents that cause alarm and distress to pedestrians".

The consultation on the plans was launched last month and closes on Friday.

The council is proposing the PSPO would last three years, the maximum time it can remain in place before being subject to renewal.

Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence and those who do so can be fined £100.

The council said a formal five-day observation of the area in September recorded a number of issues, including cyclists nearly hitting pedestrians.

Electric bikes which had been adapted to go faster than permitted were also observed, along with bikes being ridden with no lights or brakes.

It added it had received complaints about "gangs wearing ski masks" and "teenagers wearing balaclavas on bikes with large speaker systems".

Campaign group Better Streets for Birmingham criticised the proposals, saying they could put people off cycling for fear of being fined.

But the council said its travel plans for the city included active travel such as walking and cycling.

"Government guidance on these matters indicates that pedestrians should be given higher regard due to the safety implications where mixed road use is allowed," it added.

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