Aberystwyth Promenade motorcycle ban enforced
Popular seafront biking destination turns its back on vital tourist trade
A POPULAR seafront location for visiting bikers is at the centre of an argument after officials reinforced a ban on motorcycles.
Aberystwyth Promenade Forum, made up of council and local groups, says motorcycles are to be banned from Aberystwyth promenade in a renewed campaign against parking in the area.
But local businesses are concerned about the Forum's meddling, as hordes of bikers bring a substantial amount of income to the town's tourist trade.
Speaking to BBC News, on behalf of the forum, a Ceredigion Council spokesman said: "The forum has been actively studying the issues surrounding the parking of motorbikes on Aberystwyth's north promenade. There has been a weight of opinion within the forum that the policy of no parking of motor vehicles on Aberystwyth's promenade should be adhered to and, at the same time, a feeling that a compromise solution would be best given that bikers bring much needed tourist trade to the town."
Discuss this story
We go to Wales every year from Norfolk. After we arrive at the digs near Newtown we ride across to Aberystwyth for fish & chips and park on the front their. Oh well, that's 12 cod & chips they won't be selling!
Posted: 06/04/2009 18:10
I notice that the 'forum' decided this but as shops are worried about the trade I assume they nor the public were consulted on the issue. As was posted earlier the trade will simply go elsewhere. And Aberystwyth will dry up and die......
Posted: 06/04/2009 23:02
Well it's a beautiful place with superb roads, but I haven't ridden there for years and from what I read bikers are singled out and prosecuted for whatever possible these days. It's bad enough in parts of North Yorkshire where I live.
Posted: 07/04/2009 08:23
Well it's a beautiful place with superb roads, but I haven't ridden there for years and from what I read bikers are singled out and prosecuted for whatever possible these days. It's bad enough in parts of North Yorkshire where I live.
Is complete bullshit. I live on the border of Wales and spend half of my riding time within it's borders. The Police there are no different to the Police in any other part of the country. Don't get sucked in by the MCN headlines about the Chief Constable because that's all it is, Headlines. For some of the greatest roads, nicest scenery, and friendliest sheep ( ), try it.
Posted: 07/04/2009 09:02
Another vote for Welsh Rds here.Never had or seen any "overdue"Police presence. Shame about the prom ban,
Posted: 07/04/2009 09:24
not been to Wales since 2006 when the speeding nazis got me doing 36mph and promptly gave me 3 points and a £60 fine! i won't be going back either, their loss, all my disposable income will just have to go somewhere else to the detrement of local business' i forget the actual stastics but i remember reading an article saying how poor the welsh police figures where when it cam to catching/ convicting criminals when compared with every other police force in the country! when will these IDIOTS get their priorities right? never i suspect!
Posted: 07/04/2009 13:02
I used to live in Aberystwyth and even before I was a motorcyclist is was always great to see all the bikes lined up proudly on display. I never saw any problems with bikes blocking the crossing either. Since getting a motorbike I've parked my bike there once when there was just one other bike there. I don't see that there was any greater health and safety concern than with the bicycles which frequently ride on the promenade. Especially seens as the bike idling and was just pushing into position. I hope they reconsider, a big line of shiny motorbikes on a sunny day is a happy sight.
Posted: 07/04/2009 14:43
A couple of things come to mind. Firstly, if the local businesses aren't on the forum, who is? Secondly, what's the compromise solution talked about? I've got no experience of Mid or North Wales, but quite a bit of the Scottish Highlands. What often happens here is attempts to re-juvinate the local area are swiftly booted into touch by wealthy property owners. They tend to be youngish pensioners (some in their mid fifties) who came North to enjoy the peace and quiet. New golf course, built right over the top of the local bird sanctuary? Yeah, sure, why not. Visitor centre, shop and outdoor activity centre (garunted jobs for the local kids)? No danger.  I've seen the same sort of thing in the West Country, I can't help but wonder if that's what's at the heart of Aberystwyth's new anti-bike stance? Do you still know anyone up there aimaz?
Posted: 07/04/2009 16:26
To be fair the same people banned people from sitting on the Prom in the 80's when the restaraunts put tables there and served drinks across the street. Just park in the car spaces next to the prom, there are loads. Who knows what the people are up to, the councils in Mid Wales are very old fashioned andban all sorts of stuff. My suggestion would be to write letters of complaint to Ceredigion County Council, Minister for Rural Affiars and the local MP about concerns
Posted: 07/04/2009 17:33
Another vote for Welsh Rds here.Never had or seen any "overdue"Police presence. Shame about the prom ban,
i have last 3 visits:
visit 1: tl paul got knocked off for small plate, copper admitte he was only stopping bikes visit 2: dec got done for 35 in a 30, shame as its the road into barmouth just after all the fast bits visit 3: more camera vans than a camera van convention, must have seen 6 or 7 on way there and back that is an honest report of my last 3 visits to the mid wales area on a motorcycle
Posted: 07/04/2009 17:43
Bloody hell Tim, take the hint and ride East! 
i know funny thing was that on the first ride, i had no tax displayed, visor and illegal exhausts the copper went over my mates bike thoroughly and left mine alone completely
the second visit i had led all the way there but gone round a roundabout twice mucking about and my mate went off in front for 200 yards and got nailed, had i been first it would have been me pmsl
Posted: 07/04/2009 18:03
Another vote for Welsh Rds here.Never had or seen any "overdue"Police presence. Shame about the prom ban,
i have last 3 visits:
visit 1: tl paul got knocked off for small plate, copper admitte he was only stopping bikes visit 2: dec got done for 35 in a 30, shame as its the road into barmouth just after all the fast bits visit 3: more camera vans than a camera van convention, must have seen 6 or 7 on way there and back that is an honest report of my last 3 visits to the mid wales area on a motorcycle
Whereabouts did you go? The problem around Rhayader is that a lot of the old twats get annoyed with bikes coming through the town, and put pressure on Police/Council to do something. I think Barmouth is under Brunstroms force anyway...
Posted: 07/04/2009 21:16
I live and work in Mid Wales and visit Aberystwyth on a regular basis on my bike, I always park on the prom and have never had a problem. It would appear that it's the council alone that have made the decision & not consulted anyone else. I suggest a better approach to avoiding Aberystwyth would be to turn up early in the morning with as many bikes as possible and take up all the car parking spaces on the prom, that would force all the cars to park outside the town or in the park and ride. I bet the local chamber of trade would be up in arms with the loss of business. PJ
Posted: 07/04/2009 21:49
Another vote for Welsh Rds here.Never had or seen any "overdue"Police presence. Shame about the prom ban,
i have last 3 visits:
visit 1: tl paul got knocked off for small plate, copper admitte he was only stopping bikes visit 2: dec got done for 35 in a 30, shame as its the road into barmouth just after all the fast bits visit 3: more camera vans than a camera van convention, must have seen 6 or 7 on way there and back that is an honest report of my last 3 visits to the mid wales area on a motorcycle
OK.Lets deal with the problems as you stated them
1.Paul/you/me Know the rules on the size of plates he got caught[as I did] UNLUCKY 2.YOU WERE EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT! 3.No law against how many camera vans allowed on the road.Just as there's no law as to the amount of bikes allowed on the rd. HTH.
Posted: 07/04/2009 22:07
Keep any eye out for the new grey boxes at the side of the road though - or ride without a number plate! what are the grey boxes?
Posted: 07/04/2009 22:28
Keep any eye out for the new grey boxes at the side of the road though - or ride without a number plate! what are the grey boxes?
They're dotted round Derbyshire,they can distinguish between cars and bikes.And how often bikes use the rd.in access of the speed limit.Don't speed and you have nothing to fear/bother about,hth.
Posted: 07/04/2009 22:31
are these the same things I heard about on the Cat and Fiddle road?
Yep.And LONGHILL
BUT,if you know where they are,it aint a problem Can't see them lasting long anyhow.
Posted: 07/04/2009 22:39
but what exactly do they do? and is there any need to fear them?
Nooooo!,as long as you're not speeding.You're bike is taxed and insured and mot'd correctly you're ok.
If not...the GREY BOXES are loaded with exocet missiles that wil hunt you down like a dawg,doesn't matter how quick you are they are even programmed to wait for you as you leave the pub.THEN BAM!!YOU'RE BIKES FKD!!!.........HTH
Posted: 07/04/2009 22:52
Keep any eye out for the new grey boxes at the side of the road though - or ride without a number plate! what are the grey boxes?
Posted: 07/04/2009 23:10
Keep any eye out for the new grey boxes at the side of the road though - or ride without a number plate! what are the grey boxes?
grey boxes? where? May I suggest you have answered you're own question 
Posted: 07/04/2009 23:16
I live and work in Mid Wales and visit Aberystwyth on a regular basis on my bike, I always park on the prom and have never had a problem. It would appear that it's the council alone that have made the decision & not consulted anyone else. I suggest a better approach to avoiding Aberystwyth would be to turn up early in the morning with as many bikes as possible and take up all the car parking spaces on the prom, that would force all the cars to park outside the town or in the park and ride. I bet the local chamber of trade would be up in arms with the loss of business. PJ
Agree entirely. Regular visitor (have static van near Machynlleth) and we have (4 bikes) often parked up on the prom. Always take care to park considerately so that there is no obstruction and it has to be said there is plenty of room. I have never seen any problems caused due to bikes being parked and I've never heard anyone complain, a lot of folk stop to look at the bikes. I was thinking the same that if enough bikers could turn up early morning and fill the car parking bays there may well be a re-think. I will be contatcting the local council to congratulate them on finding a solution to a problem that didn't exist but in the process discouraging visitors that are very much the lifeblood of local businesses. Sometimes you just have to wonder what happened to common sense..........
Posted: 08/04/2009 21:49
Don't know why anyone's making a fuss, Aberystwyth is a disgrace and doesn't deserve anyone's hard earned until they smarten the place up - a lot. Was there on cricket tour with my son last year and was amazed at how run down and congested the place was. I certainly won't be returning. It's a dump.
Posted: 08/04/2009 23:59
Guys i run the cafe on the prom PDs DINER.at the moment there is no ban for Bikes on Aberystwyth Prom,just some safety issues,which are in discussion.And no doubt reasonable points.These are posted at our kiosk and by the usual parking areas.So dont let one councillors sour graped view stop you coming.Come ,sign the petitons.The general view in town is of support for the bikers. NO BAN IN PLACE
Posted: 11/04/2009 23:37
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