How Dare You Be ‘Inconvenienced’

A cyclist in Bexley has raised concerns about restrictive gates and barriers across the borough’s parks and cycle routes, describing them as “outdated” and “inaccessible” — particularly for disabled people, families, and those using larger or adapted bikes.

Do they stop him? No, Reader. Of course not. But look at what they make him do! 

Greg records different problem spots across the borough, documenting how certain gates make it impossible to pass through — especially with larger or adapted bikes. He shares videos of these encounters on his Instagram account, @greg.on.the.bike and recently highlighted a barrier on Robin Hood Lane as a key example of poor design.

The gate forms part of the official London Cycle Network, but navigating it requires him to dismount and lift his bike over the obstruction — a task he says is not just inconvenient but impossible for many.

He added that even for cyclists with standard upright bikes, the layout and narrow design of many gates mean they have to stop completely, lift their bikes, and negotiate awkward manoeuvres just to pass through.

Oh, the humanity!  

According to Greg, the issue goes beyond mere inconvenience. He believes some of the barriers may breach the Equality Act 2010, particularly Section 20, which requires public infrastructure to be reasonably accessible.

So, why are these gates there? Just for fun, to make cyclists stop? 

While the gates may originally have been installed to prevent antisocial motorbike use, he argues they are now penalising responsible cyclists and other legal users.

Aha! The OTHER two-wheeled menace. 

He added: “These gates are not stopping regular e-bikes or scooters anyway. The infrastructure was meant to help, but it’s ended up being anti-bike infrastructure rather than anything productive.

“They’re just in the way for people who want to use the parks and quiet paths.”

And for people who don't want to be run down by a pest in lycra while they do so. 

Either Way, You Lose

Fields popular with walkers on the southern edge of Bath could soon either be closed off to the public or have houses built across them.

There's no third option then? No Reader, because if the landowner is thwarted in the attempt to build obver yet more green and pleasant land so Starmer can invite in more Third World savages, they'll simply play dog in the manger.... 

Plans to build 290 homes on the South Stoke plateau were turned down by Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee in April 2024. But developers the Hignett Family Trust appealed, with the appeal before the planning inspectorate concluding on Tuesday February 11.The decision now rests with the planning inspector as to whether to dismiss the appeal and uphold the council’s decision, or to grant the appeal and let the development go ahead. But the agent for the Hignett Family Trust has warned that all public access to the fields will be blocked if the homes are refused.

Where's the Rambler's Society and those traspassing crusty trustafarians to hold protests about this? Suddenly, nowhere. 

The fields have always been a popular place for people in South Stoke and Combe Down to go for a walk, with paths lacing across the field boundaries towards the Millennium Viewpoint. But if the homes are given the go ahead, a network of “new and enhanced” pedestrian and cycle paths would be installed across the remaining fields.

Yes, it's their land, and they can decide what to do with it, of course. But ugh, it's a reminder that the enemy is not always a council or government.