Bikers and street vendors to face tougher rules

42 minutes ago

Steve JonesYorkshire

News image — The new restrictions will apply to street traders from October

Leeds City Council A sunny day on Briggate in Leeds. Shoppers can be seen in the background, with several street vendors in the foreground - including stalls selling hats, phone covers and sweetcorn. — The new restrictions will apply to street traders from October

Restrictions on the use of bikes and mobile street trading in Leeds city centre will come into force from October.

The Briggate Action Plan is aimed at making some of the city centre's busiest areas safer, with 87% of respondents to a public consultation in favour of the proposals.

They include a ban on riding bicycles and e-bikes within the city centre's pedestrianised shopping area from 10:30 until 20:00 every day, and a clampdown on mobile street trading without permission.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: "With these new regulations in place, our hope is that both day-to-day visits and major events will now be even more enjoyable, successful and welcoming."

The spokesperson said they expected restrictions on mobile street trading to be in place from 1 October, with restrictions on bikes "due to be in place by the end of the year".

Anyone breaking the new rules could be fined £100, although the spokesperson said enforcement "will be carried out proportionately during the initial period".

An estimated 1,100 bikes travel up and down Briggate each day.

The council said that figure included "heavy bikes used by delivery drivers, which can travel up to 45mph and pose a serious potential risk to pedestrian safety in the event of a collision".

'E-bikes are a fatality waiting to happen'

The Briggate Action Plan states that riders would have to dismount and push their bikes on Briggate, Lands Lane, Commercial Street, Albion Place and Lower Albion Street.

The council said street vendors, also known as pedlars, would need the council's permission to operate within the designated areas of the city centre from 1 October.

Briggate can see about 15 vendors on an average day, the council said, with many more gathering during major city centre events.

The spokesperson said: "Many pedlars currently gather in the same areas at the same times, particularly during major events, which can result in access issues on key routes along with some associated anti-social behaviour and the sale of counterfeit goods."