Cyclists - Important Information

Bicycles are classed as vehicles, unless they are being pushed, under the Highway Code, the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the UN’s 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, to which the UK is a signatory.

 

The Road Traffic Act places cyclists under similar obligations as motor vehicle drivers.​  As such, they are prohibited from entering the Coombe Estate, unless they are residents or have a legitimate reason for visiting a property. Signs at the entrances state ‘No vehicular right of way’.

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In practical terms, it is impossible to stop the entry of cyclists onto the Estate.  Cyclists are required to dismount at the Warren Road/Coombe Lane West barrier, both when entering and exiting the Estate and there are ‘Cyclist Dismount’ signs when the barrier is in operation. Cyclists are required to walk their bicycles around the barrier. ​

 

This is for two reasons:

 

1. Safety: bicycles are not always recognised by the laser mechanism which detects vehicles and there have been cases of the barrier dropping onto a cyclist.

 

2. Damage: some aggressive cyclists have tried to lift or damage the barrier, which results in costly repairs.  In addition if the barrier is lifted for each cyclist (hundreds daily) it would increase our barrier maintenance expenditure as the mechanism has a limited life.

Abusive behaviour towards the gatekeepers is not tolerated and we reserve the right to report any cyclist for aggressive behaviour or for damage to the barrier.  CCTV is in operation at the barrier and is retained for a period by Royal Borough of Kingston Council.

WARNING: speeding cyclists who use the Warren Cutting route to enter/leave the Estate are a danger to themselves and pedestrians unless they use caution in the narrow part of Warren Cutting.  There have been accidents involving cyclists.