I’M becoming increasingly concerned for my safety as a responsible cyclist, and the safety of other responsible road users and pedestrians.
Of an evening, the roads throughout Birkenhead are illegally-occupied by irresponsible, feral-like, gangsterwannabe teenagers and young men, who get their kicks from riding poorly-maintained cycles whilst wearing dark clothing, riding using mobile phones with hands off the handlebars, with no operational rear or front lights, pulling wheelies across main roads, and making offensive and obscene gestures to both members of the public and police.
Charing Cross in Birkenhead is a perfect example of this blatant, irresponsible and intimidating behaviour and the police are turning a blind eye.
If this behaviour is not nipped in the bud, then we can only expect things to become far worse.
We as responsible road users are tired of hearing the same excuses over and over, ie "they are from broken homes!" (yawn-yawn) for these offenders.
We are not living in the back streets of Brazil or South Africa.
We have an excellent education system which these offenders do have access to.
I have friends who were raised in dysfunctional environments, but they have turned out very well.
Simple solution …
Ban mobile phone use when riding cycles.
Impound cycles which do not have operational front and rear lights!
Arrest offenders who ride irresponsibly and those who are disrespectful and threatening to others.
It really can’t be that difficult - it’s common sense.
James Smith, by email
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