We have just moved on today from a week on the Sandringham estate CC site, when we arrived there were alot of children and adults doing circuits of the roadways and some of the tiny ones could not have been anymore than 2yrs old, one little boy was often out and about alone on his bike yet he was still wearing nappies.
There have also been new speed bumps installed around the roadways, good for slowering down the traffic, but a nightmare for cyclists and wheelchair users as theres no way around them unless you trespass onto someones pitch, I found out the hard way and became 'grounded' halfway over one of these humps whilst using my mobility scooter to go to the disabled bathroom.
Anyway, we dont know exactly what went on, but we did see an ambulance being allowed through the entrance barrier and onto the access roads. The next day, a large notice was posted up on all the toliet block doors informing caravanners that due to numerous complaints, all cycling had been banned on site, and reminding parents of the dangers of letting young ones out to roam free on their bikes.
It certainly wasnt us that complained, although i did feel concerned that some VERY young children were trying to keep up and try to race with older brothers/sisters/mates on their bikes.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
We use a site that doesn't allow cycling and I personally think it's a good idea.
Where we went last week, some boys were using some of the banks as jumps. It's quite scary when you're walking/driving along and a bike suddenly appears, being ridden by someone not looking where they are going. I have also seen many cars and vans get bumped by children on bikes.
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There is a big issue at the moment on CC sites about both the speed of cars and children riding round the site roads. Adults should know better but it would be a shame that kids were prevented from getting some healthy exercise. Having said that two children have been killed in recent years on CC sites so I can understand the reaction of the wardens.
I think it is a shame that a few ruin for many. my kids love riding their bikes and i always go around with them first making sure they know how fast they can go etc. They are polite to other users and considerate of elders. Why some people think it is fine to let kids ride off and cause chaos is beyond me.
We wouldn't go somewhere if bikes were banned.
Quote: Originally posted by jamesA114 on 20/8/2012
I think it is a shame that a few ruin for many. my kids love riding their bikes and i always go around with them first making sure they know how fast they can go etc. They are polite to other users and considerate of elders. Why some people think it is fine to let kids ride off and cause chaos is beyond me.
We wouldn't go somewhere if bikes were banned.
We were like you when our children were younger.
Sadly, for many parents it's a case of 'out of sight...'
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And it's not just on club sites either. I was on a C&CC Easter rally about 4 years back and the weather was glorious. Many had their barbecues outside their units but one lad about 7 years old from two caravans away was riding a bit too close for comfort and asked him to politely stay clear. He went and reported me to his mother saying that man told me to stop riding my bike up and down and his grandparents were in their own caravan next door. I heard his mother tell him to take no notice and you just ride your bike. Sure enough he came a bit closer and eventually lost control and steered directly into my charcoal barbecue. The hot barbecue fell straight on top him with hot coals and all but luckily I had a thick glove on and managed to chuck most of them onto the grass which then started to burn which could have caused a fire. Luckily he had just one minor burn on his arm but it could have been much worse in more ways than one but the problem was that his parents were to blame for refusing to take any responsibilty and even though they were accountable for the incident I didn't receive an apology for saving him from being seriously burned. So in all fairness I can understand why kids on bikes are being banned from riding round sites in general but it's a shame that a minority of irresponsible people will spoil it for others such as the older generation that just want a relaxing peaceful ride without interfering with anyone else.
I find it hard to judge in most circumstances, We have two kids 14 and 6 and both learnt to ride their bikes on a caravan site with tremendous applause form some caravanners for my 6 yr old. However riding their bikes is what they do on holiday, as it is extremely difficult to do at home. We have on many occasssion instructed the youngest about road safety and to the most part he follows it. However i feel it is more down to the car user travelling round the site to be more vigilant and travel at the necessary speed 5 mph 1st gear etc. We see plenty of 15 - 20 mph travellers around sites whilst away, and have been met with rude comments when asked to slow down, or even people going the wrong way around a one way system. As holiday prices increase more and more people are turning to tents/FC/ Caravan etc with children in tow. Therefore we should all be more vigilant and remember that there are children about and travel at the correct speed. Restricting or banning cycles is like banning or restricting the amount of Alcohol consumed by adults, which in some cases is much to much and creates a nuisance, just as much as cyclists.
I am disabled and cannot walk far and rely on my bike for short trips and a bit exercise and find riding round the sites gives me some freedom from the pain of the disability, and i alone would not welcome a ban or restriction on cycling on site, as i am sure the plethora of others would also find this restricting especially the motor caravanner's whom depend on cycling to get about.
That's a terrible story, so lucky that he didn't get more severely injured, just goes to show that some parents really couldn't care less what happens as long as it's not on there watch.
When we went to Haycraft in June the site turned into a racetrack for scooters and bikes as soon as everyone came home from thier day out.
Because the site is a continual oval with a couple of large dips it enabled them to get up quite a speed. There were very young ones too, we were quite surprised the wardens didn't say anything.
I think it is really sad that they have banned cycling, surely a better alternative would be to ban vehicles from parking next to their units and after pitching insist that all vehicles are left in a carpark with the exception of disabled. This would mean fewer cars speeding round the campsite and make it safer for cyclists and any other children playing too.
After only just missing hitting one or two speeding youngsters I find I have to agree with the ban and wish it would apply to more CC sites.
I have no issue with those that obey the rules, just the irresponsible parents who think that once they are on a club site, it is the responsibility of the wardens to look after the kids!
Another problem is that the children learn to ride on sites without taking note of traffic etc and then act the same way when they are let out onto public roads. Last week I was approaching a right angled bend on a country road near to home and knowing the road I was only doing about 15mph. Just before I started to turn 3 children of about 10 years old cut across the corner on the wrong side of the road rather than following the road and keeping on their side. The only thanks I got for stopping in a hurry was the middle finger from two of them. I'm sure their parents would be proud of the way they have taught them to behave.....
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on a site the other week and was horrified when young children on scooters thought it would be fun to "race" me whilst we where towing our van in first gear at tickover speed,Like to see young people enjoying them selves but with to many parents its out of site out of mind and no supervision needed.Dont like to see this sort of ban but can see the Caravan clubs point of view they could be held responsible for any injurys or deaths if they did not take any action.
All site have problems not only club sites. whether children are on bikes or just playing or walking they need to be reminded that the road is dangerous. Most drivers take care . But how many times have you had to stop and tell children. It is sometimes a nightmare when very small children run out. Also dogs with longish leads.
We were at pembrey and were asked by the site managers to take care because of children playing. But I think parents also need to take care and not let them wander.
I remember our own oyt loved riding I,es around the site but they were always reminded or never out of site.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Sandringham CC bans onsite cycling (
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