As I understand it the council plans to hire a private company to forcibly removed any bikes parked on the pavement of the Bancroft. Never mind that this is an old tradition which everyone loves, and to my knowledge has never hurt anybody.

Maybe they're worried that the bikes will bring some colour and soul to the "promenade" as I believe it's now called. Far be it for me to apply phrases such as 'kill joys', 'jobsworths', or 'cretins'.

Seriously though, why are they so keen to ruin this time-honoured tradition? If anything they should be encouraging it! Are they pandering to the small minority of killjoys who complain, or is this more about 'we're in charge, and you'll do as we say'? We're lucky to have such a unique little gathering, I just can't get my head round why the council are so keen to ruin it!

Many people take their kids to watch the bikers on Sundays, Iused to take mine and we loved it when they occasionally did a slow parade through the town--even tho' the shopkeepers weren't altogether happy, it was quite a sight . I liked it too--all those posers in their state-of-the-art gear.
Ithink it should be allowed, if only to add colour to the new concrete.

I'm more than happy for the bikers to be there as long as they behave (which 99.9% do anyway)..It adds a cosmopolitan feel to the place in the summer, and is a great tourist attraction.

I understand the District council have employed a private firm to issue them with tickets which hopefully the bikers will ignore and bin.

Well if anyone from the District Council is reading this, you don't represent my views by doing this..If you want any respect or support from me then start doing and taking actions that reflect what us locals want.

In fact we should all be grateful that the bikers come into town, provide a free tourist attracting magnet and spend money in the fast disappearing shops..

Is it because they haven't come to Stratford to worship at the temple of Shakespeare by any chance????

I always found the bikers to be very well mannered, no trouble to anyone. I remember reading a while back that the Council were going to designate another area for the bikers to congregate.

Cleaning it up has to be an ideal job for anyone that has been given x amount of hours of community service. Chewing gum if not properly disposed of is a curse. Some delightful individuals get a thrill out of sticking bits on train seats or seats around the town. Sit on gum and we all know what happens next. As for fag ends, most councils provide bins and often with a stubber outer thing at the top. But do all the smokers use them? No, don't be silly, it's less effort to just drop it as you walk.