Access/keys/gates for a footpath

[cap n chris]

Which wheelchair bound paranoics?

All the residents that I have seen agitating about motorbikes have been perfectly able-bodied. 

The mobility scooter users aren't worried about the motorbikes. Avoiding the odd motorbike on the path is trivial compared with being forced into the roadway on what are some of the busiest roads in the city

Thanks for all the ideas so far, which I shall pass on. I'm quite keen for something to be done about this. If we're serious about access for the disabled, it doesn't seem to me to be right to just shrug our shoulders and say 'most people can use the path - there's only a few who can't get through the barriers'.

Just reread the OT.

Correct me if I'm wrong (which wouldn't be surprising!):

1) Pathway newly converted to allow access to motability scooters.
2) Local people concerned that motorbikes will enjoy using the new path.
3) Wheelchair users aren't bothered by the motorbikes.
4) You want to find a way to stop motorbikes but allow access to motability scooters.

Is this about right?


Disgression question:

Is there a significant difference between a motability scooter and a motorbike?

 

[darkplaces]

wow actually I was shying away from posting and am happy to say the Cap has put a view forward better then I could have done.

I actually find it annoying to find these large mobility scooters blocking a whole pathway when really, they are big enough to be on the road.

Seams mean to restrict a perfectly good surface to one group of people. Just let people use it....

 

[Cave_Troll]

Burbage valley outside sheffield has gates that have a padlock with the RADAR key on them.
Of course, nothing to stop Mr Biker from borrowing the RADAR key of his disabled mother in law and letting rip.

 

[graham]

I cannot speak for Kay, but the situation round here is that owners of trail bikes and/or thieves of small motorbikes use them intensively on public land.

This is illegal.

It is also extremely scary if you are elderly or a dog owner. I know of some incidents that were very intimidating for the female (usually) recipients of their aggression.

It is also damaging to the land and the wildlife, especially when the nicked ones are torched.

Keeping them off is a serious problem, made harder by the fact that Councils are obliged to promote access for the disabled.

N.B. This usage, by the disabled, is neither illegal nor scary.

DP "Just letting people use it" means that normal people are strongly inhibited from using and enjoying such open spaces and that the quality of the environment in those open spaces deteriorates significantly.

I have personal experience of all of this. Ten years ago the woodland closest to here was a no-go area for all except villains in stolen cars. Removing the stolen cars after they had been torched cost the Council (i.e. the taxpayer) ?80 per car. At one point that amounted to about ?500 per week, just for this one piece of woodland. Now, today, (by which I mean 10.00 a.m. this morning) the area is a designated Nature Reserve, with wildflower meadows, woodland etc. The local community enjoy walking there, they run Bird Walks, Fungal Forays, Owl Prowls and many other events. All this has proved possible because we worked hard at getting the area fenced off and at keeping the destructive bastards out. It's an ongoing fight but in this community we are winning.

 

[cap n chris]

Graham, you forgot to mention that your local woodlands are also used by terrorists to store bombs, allegedly.

 

[graham]

No Chris, they are not.

 

[Elaine]

Ok then - here is an attempt at a sensible idea. How about putting in place something that deters speed rather than the size of the thing accessing the footpath.

Maybe speed bumps or something that a slow vehicle like a motorised wheelchair barely notices but a motorbike would have to slow down so often that they were no threat to other footpath users.

 

[graham]

Nice idea, but it doesn't work. The kind of person who runs around on a nicked motorbike doesn't care about minor irritations like speed humps.

Or pedestrians.

 

[Elaine]

Big humps then - great big ones.

 

[Les W]

Motorcyclists like bumps

 

[Elaine]

How about lots of 270o bends? I know it is complicated and expensive, but if you want the problem solved it isn't going to be easy.

 

[graham]

 

[cap n chris]

Build a tempting race track nearby - the crims will surely prefer to use that!

 

[graham]

Build a tempting race track nearby - the crims will surely prefer to use that!

Serious point, yes. Certainly, round these parts Plod has been trying for some time to locate a suitable piece of land for trail bikers to use. So far with very little success.

 

[Hughie]

Build a tempting race track nearby - the crims will surely prefer to use that!

Serious point, yes. Certainly, round these parts Plod has been trying for some time to locate a suitable piece of land for trail bikers to use. So far with very little success.

Not sure that'll work (unfortunately) - I think there's an attitude amongst the populace in general that some people think they can do whatever they like, when they want. You can even see it within this forum from time to time  .

Tempting racetracks are used by the more responsible operators - much to the chagrin of the racetracks neighbours. I believe planning rules limit the use of such places.

In an ideal world (well, my ideal world anyway) things won't improve until home and school discipline is greatly increased, prison becomes a most unpleasant place, and people (in general) learn a little more about respect, humility and consideration.

So - to sum up - imo, however hard you try and make things nice for people, some bastard will come along and f*** it up. For fun.

Bring on total anarchy - I've got a growing list of toppee's! (I 'spec that'll get onto some database as well)

 

[Christian_Chourot]

How about lots of 270o bends? I know it is complicated and expensive, but if you want the problem solved it isn't going to be easy.

...would 90? bends be cheaper? 

 

[Charlie]

How about lots of 270o bends? I know it is complicated and expensive, but if you want the problem solved it isn't going to be easy.

...would 90? bends be cheaper? 

yes, but going in exactly the wrong direction  :spank:

off topic  :spank:

 

[Big Jim]

Build a tempting race track nearby - the crims will surely prefer to use that!

Thats what they all say.... a couple fo big probs..

a) funding to buy land/build said tracks
b) Who will run / manage / accept liability for said track
c) How many little chavs dads have transit vans or trailers to get the bikes to said site - the majority just end up on the road, illegally, getting to the sites.

 

[darkplaces]

I still think this is a case of over hyping/exaggerating the bad element who will ALWAYS get around barriers of some sort. Simply put a sign up saying no motor access or 10mph limit and let people get on with it. What tends to happen with these things is the solution becomes unworkable for all and pointless.

You cant control everything and its a given that criminals DONT obey rules and laws so making rules to TARGET criminals is crackers. Laws/Rules define a point at which a person becomes a criminal/bad person.

 

[graham]

DP, I cannot make up my mind whether you are completely naive or simply ideologically wedded to your own blinkered view of open access.

Take it from those who know, myself & Big Jim for two, that if you "simply let people get on with it" then the area gets trashed and the majority of law-abiding ordinary people are inhibited from using such places by the aggressive and dangerous behaviour of the rest. It is possible to improve matters - it just takes sustained effort and commitment.