Cyclists have been warned they could face criminal charges as the city council unveils plans to ban ‘dangerous’ cycling in pedestrianised areas. Birmingham City Council is considering the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order to combat anti-social behaviour in the city centre, which could see cyclists slapped with fines up to £100 – although safe cycling will still be allowed in what campaigners have called a ‘climbdown.’
Under the proposals, anyone cycling ‘in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner’ in the defined pedestrian zone will be liable to fines, which could rise to £1000 if not paid. The consultation document has eased fears of an outright cycling ban with the ban targeting ‘the manner in which people ride’ as opposed to all cycling.
The restricted area would include Centenary Square, New Street around the Bullring shopping centre and parts of Edgbaston Street. The council acknowledged there remained ‘mixed feelings surrounding this issue’ as active travel campaigners slammed the plans as ‘not worth the paper it’s written on.’
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The PSPO will aim to provide a ‘swift enforcement approach’ to address cycling which causes pedestrians ‘harassment, alarm or distress’, the council said. It clarified that bicycles, manual scooters, e-bikes, or e-scooters could be pushed or walked through the restricted area, with exemptions for emergency services performing their duties.
Over a five-day period in September 2024, local officers were tasked with documenting instances of unsafe riding within the zone. Among the reported incidents were two school children riding bikes at high speed and nearly colliding with pedestrians, as well as a man cycling rapidly along New Street, forcing people to move out of his path.
The areas of Birmingham city centre covered by the proposed PSPO. Taken from a consultation document.
The council has acknowledged that ‘there will not be 100 per cent agreement’ and took a swipe at cycling groups who have sought to ‘curtail any consultation regarding this subject.’ It said: “Some cycling groups have already utilised media outlets to try to curtail any consultation regarding this subject, citing such programmes as active travel etc. However, the council’s travel plans and active travel includes walking, cycling and public transport.
“Government guidance on these matters indicates pedestrians should be given higher regard due to the safety implications where mixed road use is allowed. This is supported by recent changes to the highway code.”
Critics of the plan say the PSPO seeks to target behaviour which is ‘already illegal in several ways’ – including the illegal modification of e-bikes. Martin Price, policy lead for Better Streets for Birmingham, told Cycling UK the proposals were a ‘waste of council resources.’
He continued: “[The PSPO] has now been watered down to something not worth the paper it’s written on: a limit on anti-social riding through some streets. Supporting documents show they can already enforce this.”
“The supporting documents get pissy about Better Streets for Birmingham’s public statement on the proposals. Accusing us of utilising media outlets to curtail any consultation. Not the case, as we just publicly called out silly policy and called the PSPO clumsy and unworkable.
“Clumsy as in too blunt a tool being suggested without considering the unintended consequences, which is clear given the climbdown. Unworkable as in the people breaking the law are on very fast illegal vehicles — is Darren the imaginary Civil Enforcement Officer really going to catch up with one?
“Anyway — we’re now being proposed a bit of text that says you shouldn’t ride a micromobility vehicle dangerously on a collection of streets in the city centre.”
The consultation, which can be found on the Birmingham Be Heard website, closes on January 31, 2025.