CYCLISTS on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Craven are being urged to ‘stay kind and slow down’ in a new campaign by the Canal and River Trust.

The waterways charity says it has seen an increase in people using the towpaths since the start of the coronavirus lockdown. The £2 million upgrade of the towpath between Gargrave and Kildwick has also ‘drastically improved the accessibility for all users’ it adds.

But while the resurfacing has been mostly welcomed, some - including several letter writers to the Craven Herald - have complained of ‘inconsiderate’ cyclists.

One, from Bradley, recently wrote: “I walk mostly alone and I have had bikes whizzing swiftly and silently passing me, with no warning, inches away from my ear without even slowing down.

This is most startling, un-nerving and potentially dangerous for pedestrians-especially if they are elderly (like me).”

The trust, which looks after 2,000 miles of the nation’s waterways, has now launched an online campaign appealing for people riding bikes on its towpaths to take it easy and slow down.

A short video and animation reminds all those visiting the canals to Stay Kind, Slow Down. The campaign will target social media posts at cyclists living in urban and busy areas along the canal network.

Sean McGinley, Canal and River Trust director for Yorkshire and North East, said: “We want people to visit the canals often, but we ask you to be considerate to boaters, families and others who are sharing the towpath.

“Unfortunately, while most people are kind and courteous, we often hear of people cycling too fast and risking causing an accident. If you’re on a bike and you need to travel quickly, you should use a route away from the canal. If you’re on foot, please be aware of others who may need to pass by.

“Those on foot have priority on our towpaths and, quite simply, those on bikes who need or want to travel quickly should use a route away from the canal if they prefer not to take it slow and steady.”

The trust secured funding for the Craven towpath project from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development with further support from Craven District Council and the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership.

For more details on the Stay Kind, Slow Down campaign, visit: canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/our-campaigns/stay-kind-slow-down