PEDESTRIANS are 'taking their life in their hands' because of cyclists are 'forcing' them onto busy roads, it was claimed this week.

Largs community councillor Andy Adair says people are being pushed off pedestrian paths and are having to walk on the road due to 'dangerous and inconsiderate' bikers.

The community councillor has received a number of complaints from visitors to the town and locals regarding pedestrian safety.

Andy told the News: "It is a question of who the pavement is really for?

"People are being forced off paths by cyclists and it is not on. I would have thought the pavement was for pedestrians.

"I don't think you can have both on the pavement, the two don't mix.

"The speed some cyclist travel along Main Street at is dangerous. All someone would have to do is take a step to the side and they will be knocked off their feet.

"What happens if someone gets knocked down by a bike? The cyclist won't be insured, so who is responsible if someone gets injured?"

Community councillor Linda Smith also says the issue is becoming a concern.

She added: "You take your life in your hands if you walk down Alexander Avenue.

"I know there has been problems with the cars and traffic locally but the cyclists are also becoming a safety concern.

"I walk my grandchild to school and the speed the cyclists come past at is scary.

"It's a nightmare already because you only have half of the pavement to walk on due to the parked cars, so there isn't enough room for both pedestrians and cyclists."

However Councillor Ian Murdoch says it is important to remember that the prom is not counted as a pavement.

He said: "Cycling on the pavement is illegal but the prom is a shared space, so cyclists have as much right to use it as pedestrians.

"It is matter of just implementing common sense. When the prom is packed, cyclists should get off their bikes and walk through until it is safe to cycle again without knocking people out of the way."

The law states that anyone cycling on a footway or footpath in Scotland is committing an offence and can be fined by local police.

It also outlines dangerous cycling as as cycling in a manner likely to cause either injury to a person or serious damage to property.

Police can use fixed penalty notices to deal with most cycling offences which can result in a £30 fine.