[Closed] Petition to allow cycling on The Stray in Harrogate

Please show your support if you can spare 5 minutes.

[b]Cycling On Key Stray Paths – Why We Need To Make It Legal[/b]
These are some of the reasons why this will benefit the town, the local environment and the safety of our children:
• Allowing cycling on the Stray will enable several schools to develop and use “Safe Routes to School”.
• Commuters and shoppers will be encouraged to cycle by being provided with safe traffic free routes.
• The use of the proposed paths will allow the completion of an integrated cycle network in the town, something that is impossible without permitting cycling on certain Stray paths.
• This will support and encourage cycling, which is sustainable transport with zero carbon emissions.
• More cycling facilities will encourage healthy lifestyles by giving opportunities for families to enjoy healthy exercise.
• Parents will at last be able to teach young children how to cycle in the safety of the Stray without breaking the law.
The Stray Act states “The inhabitants of the borough shall have free access to and a privilege at all times of enjoying recreation upon the Stray.” We believe that ‘enjoying recreation’ is incompatible with the current blanket ban on cycling.
We are as keen as anyone to protect the Stray. This proposal to allow cycling on carefully selected Stray paths enhances its value and follows the founding principle of the Stray, to encourage healthy exercise as part of the Spa “cure”.
In York, Cambridge and many other places, cyclists and pedestrians successfully share paths on open town spaces. There is no reason why Harrogate should be any different.
Please support the Council’s proposals by responding to the public consultation at [url= http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-6542 ]http://www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-6542[/url] before the closing date of 1st June 2010.
Harrogate Cycle Group: Roy Smith (chair), Malcolm Margolis, David Rowson, Martin Weeks, Bill Whale etc. Tel 07711 294265