Stop! You're breaking the 10mph speed limit

A new mobile speed camera was introduced today to enforce a 10mph limit - for cyclists.

Council officials in fluorescent uniforms are zapping people who pedal too fast along the seven-mile prom in Bournemouth, amid claims that pedestrians and bathers are at risk.

The laser camera is on loan from the local highways department. Offenders are pulled over and given a leaflet warning of the dangers of going too fast.

Under cycling by-laws the officials could issue fines, but said this would go against the spirit of the scheme. Within hours of the

8.30am launch more than 40 cyclists had been stopped - many of them commuters in suits on their way to local offices, briefcases slung over their backs.

Bournemouth council business development officer Chris Saunders said the initiative was a joint move with Poole council, which shares the promenade, and its aim is to "harmonise the use of the seafront between cyclists and pedestrians". He added: "Generally speaking the biggest danger on the prom is speeding cyclists.

"We want to encourage people to cycle to work, but just at a slower speed. We are trying to prevent accidents. It is very easy to break the limit because we walk at about four miles an hour, but we would just ask people to leave home a little earlier and cycle a bit slower.

"We are doing it now because the weather is still quite nice and there are still a number of people about. It is on trial, which will take a couple of days, and we will repeat it if necessary."

The leaflet warns: "Cycle with care, give way to pedestrians and be prepared to stop."

However, Paul Smith from campaign group Safe Speed said: "This whole idea of thinking there is a magic number for when it is safe and not safe to drive, or in this case cycle, is wrong. It should just be about common sense. Schemes like this are absurd and go a long way to shatter public confidence in the authorities."