There is no legal obligation for cyclists to use a cycle lane

In response to John Heath’s ‘rant’ in edition 54 of the New Stour & Avon, I wonder if he was inconvenienced by no more than 60 seconds whilst waiting to safely overtake some cyclists. Although I can empathise with his plea regarding cyclists not using a cycle lane, the cycle lane past the airport is a shared use path in a very poor state of repair. It is not suitable for riders looking to make progress, or enjoy a more social experience with other riders. There is no legal obligation for cyclists to use a cycle lane, and riders wanting to ride two, or even three abreast are perfectly entitled to do so. In fact, John would do well to note that it is easier for a motorist to safely pass two riders abreast than it is two riders in single file (a larger gap in traffic is required to pass the length of two cyclists). This also ensures the motorist is likely to ‘close pass’ the cyclist. With regard to the ‘respect’, what is John looking for?

A friendly wave from the cyclist to thank the driver for not killing them? How such an article ever made it into the magazine shows a worrying amount of misunderstanding.

Mark Fenwick

Wimborne

(This was in fact a reader’s letter, not an article. Ed)

Riding two abreast recommended

I would like to address John Heath’s letter in the May 19 edition of the New Stour & Avon. There are several points. Riding two abreast is the recommendation as it is easier to overtake a short block of cyclists than a strung out line of cyclists. Cyclists also do this to stop motorists squeezing past without allowing the 1.5m passing distance

Secondly, mixed-use paths should not be confused with cycle lanes. The recommended max speed is 15mph and I would suggest even slower in the presence of children, people and dogs. The recommendation is anything over 18mph should be on the road even for dedicated cycle lanes. I passed the same cycle lanes in Ferndown and noted there were quite a lot cars parked on the path.

The other problem with the local cycle/ mixed use paths is cars from joining roads or drives, have to cross the path , often without looking, making paths more dangerous.

I personally wouldn’t use most UK cycle lanes as there too many hazards, crossing junctions, lamp posts and other street furniture, parked cars, pedestrians, unmaintained surfaces and broken glass .

Ian Turner Verwood

Join our friendly village WI group

Godshill WI are a friendly group who meet on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month at Godshill Village Hall. We welcome new members, and anyone may come along to a meeting free of charge to meet us and have a WI experience! We have a very varied programme of events.

For details, please contact me on 01425 657664 or by email ajhap.dobson@btinternet. com; Anne Thomas by email thomasstreet12@outlook.com or Marlene Williams by email marlene.williams3@btinternet. com.

Anne Dobson Godshill

It’s been hot recently and many of us were among the throngs throwing ice lollies into our supermarket baskets over the bank holiday. But did you know, you probably wouldn’t be enjoying your refreshing lolly if it hadn’t been for an 11-year-old child called Frank Epperson and a mistake that probably earned him a telling off?

In 1905, little Frank left some soda powder and water outside in a cup, with a wooden stirrer. The chilly San Francisco air meant when he returned to it, it was frozen solid. He called it the Epsicle and sold it around his neighbourhood, at nearby amusement parks, and even patented the recipe. Years later, he changed the name, to popsicle. However, as with many a lolly, the ending wasn’t a happy one. A broke Epperson sold his patent to the Joe Lowe Company in the 1920s, and regretted it as his invention became a huge success.

Rat!

Flyers had been printed and put through the letterboxes of our neighbours the week before Coronation weekend, inviting them to join us for a Litter Pick in our local area. Sarah from Wimborne War on Waste had kindly delivered a big bag of litter ‘grabbers’, gloves and hi-visibility jackets ready for the Bank Holiday Monday.

The day before our foray into the verges and on to the pavements had been glorious sun, but on the Monday, the rain fell, the bunting was hanging limply in gardens and the Coronation flag flown from a neighbour’s flagpole blew damply in the wind.

As the song goes ‘it just takes two’ my neighbour and I set off undaunted going as far as Leigh Common to start our litter-pick. By this time, the sun had come out and drivers on the main road were smiling, tooting their horns and acknowledging our efforts. We had thought that we needed to start at the Canford Bottom Roundabout, but this was practically litter-free, thanks to the efforts of a team of two, a local girl who is doing her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and regularly goes litter-picking with her dad.

My neighbour and I went into the ‘ByTheWay’ woods to see how bad the litter problem was, but the woods were not too litter strewn, so we picked litter in one field and walked home, making the main road our last port of call, where we encountered the largest rat that we had ever seen (dead, thankfully!) and we despatched it into our black bag and made our way home. Well, judging by the size of the rat, and the fact that we were volunteering for the King, we named him the King of all rats!

Job done!

Marie & Lesley Wimborne Road West