CYCLISTS who use the Devil’s Backbone to travel between South Hinksey and South Oxford are being urged to be considerate.

South Hinksey Parish Council is having signs installed at the entrances to the cycle path, urging bike owners to look out for pedestrians.

Parish council chairman Maggie Rawcliffe said the issue was raised by users of the path who feared accidents could happen.

She said: “It all started when some parishioners drew to our attention that some people do cycle very fast and very inconsiderately.

“If you are elderly or have a child in a pushchair or a dog with you, it really can be scary when a cyclist comes towards you at speed.

“It is a path which has been used by cyclists and pedestrians alike for many years, and it is only a tiny minority who do not use it in the right way.”

She said the matter had been investigated by the council, and it had decided to act to provide a “helpful reminder” for cyclists.

She said: “The parish council looked very carefully at this and the upshot of that was that we decided we would put in these two signs asking cyclists to give way to pedestrians.

“They are just helpful reminders, because 99 per cent of cyclists are very considerate and they ring their bells or dismount when they approach pedestrians.

“These signs will remind those who are not so considerate that care needs to be taken.”