§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice is given by his Department to police forces in England and Wales about the enforcement of legislation which prohibits cycling on footpaths. [178309]
§ Caroline FlintChief officers of police are best placed to assess the level, nature and causes of cycling offences locally and decide the response.
Police officers will take action as appropriate against cyclists whom they see breaking the law in this way. Forces also sometimes undertake short, intensive campaigns to deal with persistent cycling offenders.
To help enforcement we have given community support officers the power to issue £30 fixed penalty notices for cycling inconsiderately or on the pavement
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§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will encourage pedestrians who are knocked over by cyclists on footpaths and pavements to report the incident to the police. [178776]
§ Caroline FlintCycling on the footpath is an offence under section 72 of the Highways Act 1835. The police will enforce the offence as appropriate. As with other offending we would encourage members of the public to give evidence of specific problems and of particularly dangerous behaviour to the police. This will help ensure that the police target their responses effectively.