Council bosses apologise after 62 cyclists were fined Colchester

Since the New Year, 62 cyclists have been fined for antisocial behaviour offences, much to the shock of the affected cyclists.

The cyclists all claim they were merely using pavements and roads with restricted use for motor vehicles to keep safe. 

The Colchester Cycling Campaign collected a number of complaints where cyclists had been fined by WISE wardens, who work in partnership with Colchester Council. 

Secretary William Bramhill highlighted to the council, which in his eyes usually does an excellent job around cycling in the city, that a change in the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) seems to be the root of the issue. 

He claims more than 50 cyclists were wrongly fined. 

Campaigner - William Bamhill, secretary of Colchester Cycling Campaign

He said: “The PSPO came along and it made a change in the wording and we were concerned that their wording as far as cycling was concerned was way too open, it was subjective and we slanted it up to them and said, look, you know kind of you are going to be getting lots of cyclists with this.” 

A spokesman for Colchester City Council said: “We understand the concerns raised by cycling campaigners. We take cyclist and pedestrian safety very seriously and acknowledge that a lack of safe cycling infrastructure can lead some cyclists to use the pavement. 

“We also understand that some cyclists may have been issued fines when their actions were not a significant breach of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) or antisocial behaviour (ASB). To ensure everyone's safety, however, it is also important to remember that the Highway Code and Road Traffic Act still apply to cyclists. 

Council - Town Hall in Colchester High Street (Image: Mike Quinn)

“We are sorry if we have not always got it right. We recognise the frustration for responsible cyclists. We are committed to ensuring the PSPO is applied fairly and consistently, focusing enforcement on the most serious ASB issues that truly impact our community. 

“PSPOs are vital for maintaining a safe and attractive city centre. These orders are not taken lightly and are implemented after a rigorous process involving evidence gathering and community feedback. 

“To that end, we will be strengthening guidance for our enforcement partner, WISE, to emphasise the need to assess lack of due care and attention, as well as aggravating circumstances.  

“This information should be clearly explained at the time of any interaction, which should be about education before any fine for cycling is issued.

"We are also asking WISE to waive all recently issued and contested fines, and to review others on a case-by-case basis, as needed. 

“This reset should help give confidence that we are listening to residents to look after the interests of pedestrians and cyclists, and to achieve clear and consistent enforcement across Colchester.”