Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the edition that we sent in August 2023. If you like it, please sign up on our Get Involved section – you will be showing your support for our work and you will receive our free monthly bulletins a month before they appear here.
IN THIS ISSUE… +++ Fears of more restrictions on cycling +++ Plans for CCTV +++ Two cyclists fined for high-speed descent +++ Rundown of latest road incident figures +++ Sign up for fitness study or volunteer at London Duathlon +++
Visit our sponsors: Bella Velo, Cycle Exchange, Kingston Wheelers, London Dynamo, Look Mum No Hands!, Pearson Cycles, Richmond Cycles, Sigma Sports Electric
ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN
Ever since RPC was founded, we’ve found that most people involved with Richmond Park are generally supportive of cyclists – but, like anywhere else, the park isn’t immune to anti-cycling sentiments you will often encounter in wider society. And over the past few months, we’ve detected a more critical tone in discussions about aspects of cycling in the park.
In particular, we sense that stakeholders and the authorities want to use the fact that the majority of road traffic accidents in the park involve cyclists, not pedestrians nor motorists, to introduce further restrictions on cyclists. But more often than not, these cycling accidents are caused by loss of control rather than recklessness, and are mostly solo falls with no other party involved. Cyclists knowingly accept these types of risk whenever we jump on our bikes, and will resist well-intended but intrusive measures that restrict our freedoms.
Statistically, the roads in Richmond Park are actually far safer to ride on than those outside. We know that no one wants us to ride with greater risk elsewhere and yet restrictions on cycling in the park will have that effect.
It’s becoming clear to us that we need to take a strong stance against any further unnecessary alterations to the park that would make cycling less enjoyable. To do this, and to reach our long-term goals, most significantly the removal of through traffic, we will need more subscribers. Speaking for more people simply makes our message stronger – so please encourage your friends and acquaintances to sign up to this monthly newsletter here.
BROOK NO ARGUMENT
The second safety consultation into the controversial new road installations and 10mph signage has been completed. Park manager Paul Richards informed us on Monday he will soon formally respond to our open letter, which expressed opposition to what many regard as hazardous, heavy-handed intrusions which make cycling in the park less enjoyable.
Paul also told us during our regular quarterly meeting with him a few weeks ago that he plans to install CCTV cameras on the single lane on Beverley Brook Bridge. This section, which could readily accommodate cycle slip lanes in both directions without losing much of the ridiculously wide new pedestrian footway, is now a constant source of conflict, with many road users heading towards Roehampton refusing to give way to oncoming traffic which has priority. The footage should be very interesting for TRP’s consultants to study…
FINE EXAMPLE
Speed limits in the park do not apply to cyclists – but contrary to what some people would have you believe, that doesn’t mean you can go as fast as you like. Here’s the most recent example of that fact.
On a weekday at the beginning of last month, an officer from the park’s police fined two cyclists £50 each after observing them descending Sawyer’s Hill at 39mph, weaving their way around cars as they did so. This, of course, is far from typical behaviour – in fact, to our knowledge, the last time a cyclist was punished for doing much the same thing was in 2015 – but it serves as a reminder that anyone who rides in a manner that could endanger themselves or others is falling foul of the park regulations, and the police therefore have a duty to act, which we support.
MAKING TYRE TRACKS
While on the subject of rider behaviour, there were a few aspects brought up at the latest Safer Parks Police Panel meeting, as well as at our regular quarterly catch-up with Paul Richards, the manager of the park, and Sgt Pete Sturgess.
There appears to have been an increase in off-track cycling, which is prohibited. While it may seem harmless to venture away from the roads, tarmac paths and the shared-use Tamsin Trail, bike tyres can create furrows which rainwater exploits, leading to soil erosion. It’s unlikely that a typical Richmond Park Cyclists subscriber ventures off-track – indeed, at a previous SPPP meeting it was said that those on hire bikes who were unaware of the rules were the main culprits. But if you’re walking in the grassy areas of the park and a cyclist crosses your path, you would be doing the reputation of cyclists a little favour if you politely pointed out to them the damage they are doing to the natural environment, and that the police might catch up with them.
As mentioned in previous editions of this bulletin, visitors to the ballet school are permitted to drive through the restricted areas of the park. Some may have permits displayed – but even if one is not visible, do not approach the driver or remonstrate with them. The police have a good track record of catching genuine rule-breakers, so leave the job to them.
Horses sometimes cross on Sawyer’s Hill. Slow down, or stop if it is safe, when you see them and their handlers waiting by the side of the road.
FIGURE IT OUT
Time now for a look at the incidents in the park that the police attended over the past quarter-year, as detailed in their report to the Safer Parks Police Panel. As ever, we’re grateful to them for collating the figures and helping to keep the roadway safer for cycling. With reference to the introduction of this bulletin, note that while cycling accidents outnumber motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, they are largely self-inflicted, and motor vehicle offences far outnumber everything else.
In April two cyclists lost control in separate incidents which required visits to A&E, while a third fell for unknown reasons and suffered a bleed on the brain.
As we reported last month, two cyclists collided head-on in May on the middle road with resultant head injuries, and in June a rider’s light fell into their spokes causing a heavy fall with arm fractures and dental injuries. There were no reported road user collisions/falls reported in July.
As for offences, two motorists were reported for driving in a manner likely to endanger others or themselves and one cyclist was reported for the same. There were 62 motorists reported for speeding and 176 drivers of trade vehicles reported. Twelve motorists were found to have no insurance, three were found to be "driving not in accordance with a license”, and two were caught on their mobile phone. There were also 210 traffic offence reports related to parking, and 23 for contravening the restrictions on motor traffic and directional signs. *Many of the latter were for unauthorised driving at weekends between Richmond and Roehampton Gates.
There were 11 off-track cycling offences committed during the quarter, and 75 motorists were caught driving off-road – many of them being attempts to park outside of a designated car park. The police mostly give verbal warnings to off-track cyclists (174 this quarter) compared with 15 verbal warnings to motorists.
In other notable verbal warnings, motorists were warned five times and cyclists three over for behaviour that is likely to endanger any person.
HOT SPOTS
Our final item is two requests for volunteers.
A sports physiologist at St Mary’s University in Twickenham is looking for injury-free male and female athletes aged 18 to 55 to take part in a study exploring the difference in heat acclimation between men and women. Personal data gathered from the research, which includes VO2 max tests and blood lactate measurements, can be used to maximise your cycling performance. The one-hour sessions involve exercises and being immersed in 40C water for up to 40 minutes. You must be able to attend 13 days over an 18-day period. For more information, email Andrea Al Hourani at aalhourani34@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the London Duathlon, which takes place in the park on Saturday, September 3, are looking for volunteers to man the event. Duties include issuing race packs, helping at aid stations and handing out medals to the finishers. Shifts last six hours, with food and refreshments provided. Volunteers can claim back up to £15 for travel on public transport and choose free or discounted entry to one other event run by the organisers LimeLight. You can register on its website here or email volunteers@limelightsports.com.
SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...
As ever, thank you for allowing us to pop into your inbox, and let us know what you think about anything related to cycling in Richmond Park – we reply personally to every email you send us. If you enjoyed this bulletin, please share it with your cycling friends – and if they like what they read, encourage them to sign up to our mailing list too. The more subscribers we have, the bigger our voice.
All the best,
Richmond Park Cyclists