CTC Cymru has submitted proposals to Conwy County Borough Council for Llandudno to become a European style cycle-friendly town on the model of those seen in Holland, Denmark and Germany. It would attract the growing market of holidaymakers wanting a break from their cars in surroundings which could easily compete with any resort in the country.
The proposals include a direct and dedicated cycle path from Rhos-on-Sea to the Great Orme, bringing the promenade into line with the cycle access arrangements enjoyed by many elsewhere along the coast.
Some reservation has been expressed locally about allowing cycling on the promenade, but CTC Cymru argues that the possible discomfort for other users has been grossly exaggerated, and the benefits for all will far outweigh any misbehaviour by a small minority.
It is worth reminding ourselves of the position of the government and the National Cycling Strategy on cycle access to pedestrian areas:
No real factors justify excluding cyclists from pedestrian zones. (DETR, from 1993)
In vehicle-restricted areas, the objective should be to integrate cyclists into the areas from which cyclists have been excluded, if a safe and reasonably direct alternative route is not available. Experimental periods of shared use are recommended in order to make an objective judgement about objections raised as a matter of principle by certain special interest groups and individuals (National Cycling Forum 1998)
So there you have it: cycling on Llandudno promenade for an experimental period with every prospect of it becoming permanent?