Pedal cyclists behaving in an “anti-social and dangerous manner” in Saltburn are being targeted in council action aimed at keeping the public safe.

Redcar and Cleveland Council is consulting over plans to extend and vary a so-called Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), the effect of which will be to require cyclists to dismount from their bikes on Saltburn’s popular Lower Promenade between 10am and 5.30pm during the period from Good Friday to October 31.

An increased number of visitors to the seafront, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, led to a number of near misses with those on foot and, in some instances, accidents involving cyclists ploughing into pedestrians.

The council responded by putting up signs asking people not to cycle and to instead walk their bikes along the Lower Promenade and in other locations such as the ‘Donkey Path’, a route down to the front near to the junction with Milton Street, at the start of Marine Parade.

But the signs could only advise and have no legal force, hence plans to extend the PSPO.

Public Spaces Protection Orders give councils powers to place controls on public spaces, outlawing certain behaviours and are provided for under legislation.

A sign requesting cyclists dismount at the entrance to the Donkey Path in Saltburn, along with information on the proposed variance to the Public Spaces Protection Order

A sign requesting cyclists dismount at the entrance to the Donkey Path in Saltburn, along with information on the proposed variance to the Public Spaces Protection Order

A council spokesman said the intention was to “protect the safety of the many visitors, including children, who visit Saltburn every year”.

He also said a potential alternative route for the National Cycle Network Route 1 in Saltburn, to take it through the town centre and along Milton Street, was being explored.

It currently takes in the Donkey Path, going along Marine Parade and down Saltburn Bank.

The council is in discussions with charity organisation Sustrans, which is responsible for the National Cycle Network, as part of plans to upgrade cycling routes between Saltburn and Loftus.

Redcar and Cleveland Mayor Stuart Smith, who is a Saltburn ward councillor and a former police officer in the town, said: “The council intends to bring in measures to deal with public safety so that cyclists and pedestrians don’t get into conflict at busy times, particularly during the summer months.”

Fellow ward councillor Philip Thomson said: “Many pedestrians have concerns about the Donkey Path and quite high stress levels because cyclists do use that and do not dismount.

“There have been incidents both on Marine Parade and on the Lower Promenade of pedestrians being injured and near misses so it is right the local authority does have a consultation on managing areas where cycling and pedestrians do not mix.

“If there are orders in place it gives the residents confidence that they can speak out.

“The Highway Code requests that no-one cycle on a pavement, for example, and it is a perfectly reasonable request to ask people to dismount and regularising that will help.”

Any enforcement would be down to Cleveland Police and the council’s own wardens, both being able to issue fixed penalty notices.

The last day in which representations can be made during the consultation process is Monday December 19.