first mate

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@ Earl 1. You have completely misrepresented Rockets by only quoting half of his sentence. I suspect you scan read, thought you had a point and posted before properly reading or thinking. 2. I did not say I had a problem with people cycling in the park per se, but was simply pointing out a possibly problematic lack of joined up thinking where on the one hand the Council is urging more cyclists ( many on Lime bikes) to use parks as through routes ( to increase cycling safety) on the other it has designated those same park areas as shared use spaces where cyclists must give way to pedestrians. What is your understanding of how cyclists give way when there are lots of other users in the same space- how does that work in reality? 3. You did not comment on the (presumably) council licensed bike hire business that operates inside Dulwich Park that advises cyclists must give way to pedestrians and not exceed speed limits. Do you think this specialist bike business, operating with the council's blessing does not know what it is talking about?

It simply means Southwark want to encourage cyclists to use routes that link cycling through parks/green spaces/ quietways. The idea being its safer for cyclists. However, there are inherent issues with this, as I pointed out. I was also interested that the bike hire business that operates inside the park states the following below (presumably the business must liaise with Southwark officers and have not simply made up their advisory). "Are there any safety rules I should be aware of? Yes, cyclists must adhere to speed limits, yield to pedestrians, and stay on designated paths while riding in the park."

It is my experience of Dulwich Park that cyclists riding fast through the shared use space seem to expect pedestrians to get out of their way, rather than giving way. In that respect the Southwark advisory is not adhered to. The biggest culprits are the Lime riders. The potential issue is that Southwark want to build Greenway cycling routes to encourage cycling and make it safer, but if this happens in any numbers I am not sure how the shared space advisory to give way to pedestrians can work.

Surprised to see very large Christmas trees dumped and blocking pavement in Melbourne Grove area and beyond.

I cannot recall anyone making that statement. It's a ridiculous thing to suggest, especially since a number who disagree with you on some things are cyclists themselves.

I believe one of the things Southwark Cyclists have asked for is greater connectivity between green spaces for those 'wheeling'. So really, it sounds like they want to increase the use of parks by anyone on a bike or e-bike/scooter/hover-board. A 5mph limit would rather get in the way of that aim. Perhaps that is the reason for the apparent outrage that a stated park speed limit could apply to those that 'wheel', even if in effect they are actually riding a powered vehicle capable of 15mph (or more).

Perhaps if any residents in that area have some sand it could be scattered? Better than nothing? If the council cannot get to side roads perhaps residents could do the bits of road and pavement outside their home. Maybe some roads need a salt box? Cycling in icy conditions is hard enough but the thought of doing it on a Lime bike makes me shudder. Even as a pedestrian it is so easy to slip on black ice. I hope everyone is wearing good thick gloves and protective clothing and I also hope anyone out there cycling is okay.

4.35pm and yes, as anticipated the 'NYE' fireworks have started up again, that's a full 16 hours after the event they are meant to celebrate has been and gone.

My primary issue is the noise level and the fact that it begins at dusk and continues well into the early hours, the odd random bang being possibly the worst aspect as you never know when the next volley will occur. This is no longer about celebrating a turning point as the clock strikes 12am, but more a lengthy indulgence in ear shattering bangs, where there also seems to be competition as to who can create the loudest most startling barrage of sustained noise. A new thing is daytime fireworks, where buyers are urged to forget the visual aspect and focus on getting the biggest bang for their buck. I am lucky as I am not super sensitive to noise but I really feel for those who are. As for pets, I am afraid there are now many that require serious medication to get them through- and those meds are not cheap. The fault here is not with the animals or people sensitive to extreme bangs, but with those who insist on their right to impose it on all around them, not just for half an hour a few times a year, but for hours on customary dates and now spreading to random events throughout the year.I New Year fireworks is a very recent construct, and now Halloween Fireworks are becoming a thing. Why should we encourage and condone a proliferating societal noise addiction? It really is isn't healthy. Let those who wish to damage their eardrums enjoy their pastime through headphones; they can turn the volume up as high as they like. If last night was the end of it then that is great but I think there'll be more through the weekend and more discarded jumbo firework boxes dumped in the park. I hope we follow other countries in adopting low noise fireworks and drone shows instead.

The debate cannot come soon enough. Tonight has been relentless and the loudest possible 'neighbour' garden fireworks the worst part.

But if the notion of inconsiderate cycling becomes more of a thing perhaps cyclists, especially e-bike and time triallers, will take it upon themselves to voluntarily slow right down abd even dismount in shared use spaces. Lime bike riders I have seen in the local parks and today zooming across the pedestrianised part of Dulwich Sq, mostly seem to go very fast- so not sure how the geofencing works.

On that basis alone, we can probably also agree that cycling fast through a park, when there are many other park users around (children on two wheels, pedestrians, dog walkers), is not a good idea. Adhering to 5mph seems sensible enough. I always cycle at snail's pace through local parks for that reason. As I have also mentioned, Lime bike users seem among the worst for speeding. Perhaps it is very difficult to cycle very slowly on powered bicycles?

You seem to be advocating this, so you tell us? If you think children on foot should be kept on a lead, then what about children on bikes, scooting or wheeling?

Haha, very droll. Or, you could simply ask all park users on paved areas to be mindful of other users- dogs should be kept on lead and not allowed to career around paved areas, toddlers and young children carefully supervised, and cyclists or other wheelers, observe park speed limits and always give way to pedestrians.