A CAMPAIGNER is calling for action to stop cyclists riding on pavements.

Cath Prenton said she had received verbal abuse from both men and women who ride on the pavement in Beaconsfield Road, Brighton, where she lives.

Cycling on the pavement is illegal unless it is a path designated for shared use.

Police can issue penalty notices for violating this.

Ms Prenton said: “Young people are often the worst.

“A 20-something woman, who clearly had no intention of stopping, said to me recently ‘You don’t have to get out my way if you don’t want to’.”

Ms Prenton has experienced near misses, as has one of her neighbours who only just managed to pull her small children out the away of a cyclist coming at speed down the pavement.

The issue was discussed earlier this month at a London Road Action Team meeting.

Ideas suggested included barriers on Beaconsfield Road, forcing cyclists to dismount.

Another was to create signs along nearby Ditchling Rise and Winchester Street which would provide cyclists with an alternative route.

Councillor Pete West, who represents the St Peter’s and North Laine ward, told the meeting: “I too have experienced near collisions.

“Something has to be done to protect pedestrians but it is important not to create a them and us situation.”

Ms Prenton, a planning consultant, said: “It’s alienating the public.

“I haven’t yet met someone who isn’t annoyed by it or hasn’t had to jump out of the way.

“Some people are extremely vulnerable. Not everyone can just jump out of the way of a cyclist who is speeding down the pavement.

“What about those who are elderly, in a wheelchair or have young children?

“Even just someone with heavy bags of shopping becomes more vulnerable.”

The Brighton and Hove City Council website tells cyclists to “consider the impact on vulnerable pedestrians (the disabled, elderly and very young) of pavement riding”.

Ms Prenton said the problem was not restricted to Beaconsfield Road and she believes there is “a sense of entitlement amongst some cyclists”.

She said: “At the moment there is a real lack of respect and understanding about living together.

“We all need to respect each other and share the city.”

She said the council needed “to see how big the problem is”, adding: “We could have CCTV but who would monitor it?

“Having community officers is another possibility.

“Perhaps traffic wardens could monitor cyclists and introducing number plates might work.

“Certainly any of these would make people think twice.”

“How would cyclists feel if we went in their space?

“Perhaps if each person took a small stand it would make a real difference.

“I can challenge cyclists and stand my ground or I can jump out the way if I need to.

“Perhaps we as pedestrians should occupy some cycle lanes. Cyclists may take this seriously.”