While walking my dog recently along the path on the freshwater side of Riverside Park, I had a slight altercation with a cyclist who argued that this was a cycle route.

There appears to be some confusion generally, and on the internet regarding cycling access in this area. In the interests of safety for all users can I please try to clarify the situation.

There is a clear 'Cycling Prohibited' sign (cycle logo within a red circle) at the start of the path from Woodmill Lane, on the freshwater side.

This replaced the original sign which was stolen during a spate of metal thefts some years ago, and it was some time before the current one was installed.

It has been in situ for a while now but I can only assume that cyclists don't notice it, or simply ignore it.

Also, the 'no cycling' signs originally painted at intervals along the path have completely eroded and need to be reintroduced.

To add to the confusion, some years ago a gravel track in the grass area near Mansbridge was used by cyclists to lead them into River Walk, which is part of a designated cycle route.

The gravel track was removed and fenced off at the Mansbridge end to allow for 'biodiversity' and the main path widened instead, for cyclists to use and then turn left along the path separating the pitch and putt and join River Walk, as shown on the Council Information Board by the bridge.

However, once cyclists are on the widened path, they just keep going until they reach the end of the path and then cross Woodmill Lane onto the other side of Riverside Park, which does have a shared cycle/pedestrian path.

Many, but not all cyclists ride at speed, give no warning of their presence, make no allowance for anyone else, and can be verbally abusive if challenged.

Cycling generally now has a particularly high profile, as does running, but simply walking safely along a footpath has become a thing of the past, and this needs to be addressed.

Woodmill Bridge in particular has become increasingly hazardous to walk along.

As a cyclist in previous years, and a regular motorist, I fully appreciate the hazards on the road, and as a dog walker, I observe many things.

Stress, anger and impatience among motorists regularly spill out onto the roads, endangering cyclists, who then use the footpaths, endangering pedestrians – leaving nowhere for the pedestrian to go.

We are all living through extremely difficult times not of our making, but we need to have more regard for each other, and work together to maintain some kind of harmony among ourselves, otherwise what's the alternative?

Can the council, and perhaps local cycling groups, please communicate/highlight cycle routes more effectively, and arrange some kind of enforcement to protect pedestrians?

If no action is taken on this it is only a matter of time before someone is badly injured, or worse.

Sue Pope

Southampton