Police are taking a hard line on cyclists in Hastings city centre after close encounters between pedestrians and their two-wheeled opponents. Retailers complained to Hastings Police Community Constable Deb Potter about an influx of children riding their bikes on footpaths in the central business district in the afternoon. Ms Potter yesterday decidedto take the message to the young cyclists and confiscated about 12 bikes along Heretaunga St West. She said she had sent messages to schools explaining police would not tolerate cyclists on footpaths. "We've had people nearly getting knocked down and we've had a few near misses," she said. Ms Potter said the bikes would be stored at the Hastings District Council. The bikes could be released to their owners on payment of a $10 fine for the first offence, $20 for the second. Hastings City Marketing manager Natalie Stevens said she was aware of the problem but admitted children had nowhere to ride. She was working with the council on plans for more green space areas around the city and the possibility of a skate park. "Kids need some space to play after school, Flaxmere has a skate bowl, so does Havelock North but Hastings doesn't," she said.
