Have Your Say
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- Shared Use Surfaces in Woking Town Centre
- donate japan earthquake hit (Desmoines) on 15 March 2011
How can i give money to assist Japan? I am just so unhappy by what happened in Japan with the earthquake and tsunami and I genuinely wish to assist all of them by donation. Does any individual know an internet site or anything which you could donate to assist Japan?
- donate japan disaster (Albany) on 15 March 2011
Help support the awesome nation of Japan from the earthquake by accomplishing a tiny donation!
- Brian (Woking) on 28 February 2011
I recentely attended the meeting orginised by SDPP on the shared use debate. I didn't understand the relevance of the councellor (on the board) and his comments about the undeniable benefits of cycling for the environment and health. Surely cycling to woking town centre, walking across the town centre then getting back on the bike to continue the journey is environmentally as good and, if anything, better for the cyclists health?
- monica (woking) on 6 December 2010
i say NO to shared space in town centre proposal
- Gary (Westfield) on 26 November 2010
I cycle every day and it's the best form of transport for me. I consider myself a responsable cyclist but sadly not all cyclist are. Allowing people to cycle in pedestrian areas is not safe!
- David (Woking) on 24 November 2010
As a member of the visually impaired community, i have to be on the side of caution and take the non supportive view. I feel it is wrong to allow cyclists, of any age or disposition, to freely roam these areas. Most people just do NOT understand what it is like to get about with a sight impairment. espiecially a severe one, or indeed, a total loss of vision. A visually impaired person may not necessarily be identifiable by the cyclist, as not all of us use a white stick or cane. But for all of us, eye contact with a cyclist is impossible and could lead to misunderstandings upon passing, leading to the inevitable collision, for example. This is further compounded the older a sight impaired person becomes, less able to quickly avoid the collision. For a totally blind person using a white stick or cane, there is an even worse potential problem. This is the way that the white stick or cane swang from side to side to make sure that the way ahead is clear of obstruction. It is feasible that a cyclist, that maynot be paying attention, passing from behind could snare the sweeping stick or cane and a nasty accident ensue. One can only imagine the potential consequences of such an accident. I do applaud the use of cycles over cars wherever possible, but SURELY the disabled community as a whole, deserves a tiny, important area within their town, where they can relax, free in the knowledge, that a potential problem with a moving vehicle is not an issue? Woking is an enlightened multi cultural, forward thinking community. Let it also be an enlightened multi physical impairment aware community too! I believe Woking should lead, not follow. The Council must have the foresight and courage to encompass all its citizens needs. Sometimes a minority should be given priority over the majority.
- Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence (Woking) on 11 November 2010
Sharing footpaths in Woking Town Centre sends shivers down my spine. Pedestrians are not in an aware state like they are when crossing roads. I have a mobility scooter and I have to be very aware of people around me and notice how people wonder, stray over a large area and suddenly stop, when they are shopping. People are normally talking to someone or are in groups and talking so are not consciously aware. Children have a free reign in pedestrian areas, they jump skip and run backwards and forwards to their guardians, they will never have this freedom again if cycles are permitted in the pedestrian areas, I can see some serious accidents happening. People who are blind, hard of hearing and the frial elderly won't stand a chance, you feel safe in a pedestrian area you're never going to notice cyclist. I hate cyclist coming up behind me, I have no idea which side of me they are going to pass so I freeze then get the verbal abuse because they have to brake. The canal path is already shared and pedestrians are always being hindered by cyclist, the pedestrians are the ones that have to give way and when there are so many passing all the time you're constantly stopping and moving over for them, never the cyclist for us pedestrians. If this suggested sharing goes ahead then high visability vest must be compulsory along with lights on bycicles.
- Rosie (Byfleet) on 8 November 2010
This is a ridiculous plan. Bikes are road vehicles. If the roads aren't safe enough for cyclists, then they should think about making them so, instead of passing the danger onto Pedestrians.
- Andrew (woking) on 1 November 2010
The town centre and canal side path in woking are not suitable for a shared use scheme with cyclists. The paths involved are not wide enough. Wheelchairs, Buggies, People on mobiles, coffee shop tables, market stalls and many other user groups use Woking town centre. There is no room for cyclists. End of.
- Julie (Woking) on 1 November 2010
I am against the shared use surfaces due to the safety, specifically, of disabled people and the elderly as well as members of the public generally as cyclists are sometimes not considerate of other people. This is especially true of teenagers who ride their bikes quite fast and often aren't looking where they are going (especially if they are with their friends). It is often difficult for disabled people and the elderly particularly to move out of the way quickly. This means it is more likely that accidents could happen - some of which could have extremely serious consequences.
- Alan (Woking) on 28 October 2010
Shared surfaces are a bad idea! I have MS and this often makes me unsteady on my feet. I wouldn't be able to move out of the way if a bike was coming towards me. I also have poor hearing. I don't have a problem with cyclist but they shouldn't be allowed on paths!
- Anne Damerell (Staines) on 28 August 2010
I feel strongly that cyclists should get off and walk in pedestrianised areas. As well as the obvious dangers for people with physical or sensory disabilities, mothers with small children will have problems. They should be able to relax a bit in pedestrian areas, knowing their children are safe. If this project goes ahead in Woking then the general belief that it's 'all right' to cycle in pedestrian areas will spread and we will find more people cycling through pedestrian areas in other towns even though the change has not been made there. We should also resist the general tendency of highway engineers to lump cyclists and pedestrians together (to the great discomfort of both) instead of making proper provision for cyclists on the roads. All best wishes.
- Alison on 8 February 2011
Cycle Woking Survey - Too much personal info requested?
Just a thought - ref Woking shared access. I wanted to complete the questionnaire on the cycle woking website which invites residents comments, but although very keen to do so, I felt unable to because I make a point of not giving out the type of details they were insisting on eg name, address, email address etc.
I wonder if this will deter others as well?

