To permit or not to permit?
It seems clear that the current situation is doing nothing. As a result, Push Bikes is going to contact BW to suggest that they abandon any need for cyclists to have permits until BW produce valid reasons for cyclists having one.
To be valid, BW would need to provide appropriate information
signage at all access points to their canal network and the network
would need patrolling to catch ‘offenders’. Without the
latter, permits would remain pointless. Without the signage,
cyclists would have a valid reason for not having a permit if
caught.
Both necessities would cost BW to implement and it's unlikely
they'd do it. Furthermore, they tell us they are trying to
encourage cyclists to use their towpaths and such permit moves
would be detrimental to that.
Permits presumably seemed like a good idea at the time but were never really properly implemented and as time passes, less likely to be wanted by BW.
We have now written to BW, pointing out that due to the following:
- No enforcement of the current requirement i.e. patrols;
- Without the patrols, the sort of people who disregard the need for a permit are those likely to cause the problems;
- No serious attempt to notify cycling users of the need for a permit by way of notices at all access points hence cyclists would always have a valid excuse for not having a permit;
- Permits are not required for walkers so why do cyclists need them when other users could equally cause problems for BW and the canal infrastructure;
- The data collection purpose is nullified due to lack of permit control what usage information BW does get will be so inaccurate it has no value;
- The current situation seems to be somewhat confused not helped by some canals being cycleable while other parts of the network are not;
- There seem to be many cyclists using the canal network now without permits and they don't seem to be causing any real problem;
- Permits are a detraction to encouraging new cyclists to the network.
Therefore we feel cycle permits are worthless.
Our correspondence with BW has been significantly welcomed. BW say it will review the permit situation and take into account the points we've raised above some of which it already knew.
We opened the door for further communication on the subject with BW and that was also welcomed. Hopefully this will be the start of further improvements to the canal network for cyclists.
