CYCLISTS who bike it in Southend High Street will get a £30 fine.

Police will be stopping anyone over 16 found cycling in the pedestrian area – and demanding their name and address.

They will then be sent a fine by Southend Council, and if they refuse to pay up could end up in court.

The move has been prompted by two near-misses in the High Street in the past few weeks.

PC Martin Knight, of the town beat section, said: “It’s more for the elderly and vulnerable people who walk in the High Street.

“They are not as nimble as the other members of the community, and it’s a danger for them.

“We do get appreciated when we stop and talk to cyclists, so hopefully this will be well-received.”

Peter Dolphin, senior environmental care officer for Southend Council, believes the move is long overdue. He said: “I go down the High Street quite a lot and it seems there are more and more people cycling. I notice some of them go really fast.”

However, he stressed the council was not trying to penalise responsible cyclists who make the most of the cycle paths.

He said: “We’ve done a lot to increase cycle lanes and make provision at traffic lights. We’ve got a big cycling team here and it works with the Government.

“We’re all in favour of cycling, but it can’t be in the High Street because it’s not the right situation for it.”

The action is being taken using a Traffic Order, a law which was put in place by Southend Council in 2006.

However, it is only now police have launched an operation to hand out tickets.

Mike Assenheim, Independent councillor for Shoebury, believes the action should have been taken years ago.

He has been campaigning for tougher treatment of High Street cyclists since he witnessed a pedestrian being knocked down in 2007.

He said: “We should be doing everything we can to stop this.

“The signs have been around for three years or so though, so I don’t know why this action couldn’t have been taken before now.

Cyclists are divided on the issue. Mike O’Farrell, 23, of Electric Avenue, Westcliff, said: “I agree with the fines – it is dangerous to ride in the High Street. I suppose people should be allowed to cycle when there’s not a lot of people around, but it just wouldn’t work in practice. It should be banned.”

Dan Sheldon, 21, of Shelford Road, Rochford, disagreed.

He said: “I don’t think it’s an issue. I cycle there without hitting anyone because I’m careful.

“If it was really busy I might get off, but people just need to be responsible.

“I think the police have got better things to be doing than stop cyclists.”

l FINES can be given thanks to a Traffic Order imposed by Southend Council in 2006.

It was required because the law only bans cycling on footpaths at the side of roads – not pedestrianised precincts.

Police officers can take the name and address of any cyclist caught breaching the order, and arrest them if they refuse.