Breaking the rules

[subaqua]

Passing traffic on the left is illegal? That's annoying, I'll have to stop using all the fantastically designed cycle lanes now

I stopped using them as they generally put me in a doorzone.

 

[subaqua]

Now now.... it was only a few weeks back i was at a meeting with several Inspectors and even the new borough commander.
They all knew exactly what they were doing, fobbing us off with excuses and very good at it they were as well.

Hoges will see ya right. #runsofflaughinglikeadrain

 

[doctornige]

the ascertion that car drivers (or bus drivers, or LGV drivers) all stop at RLs is so obviously wrong that it is pathetic.

Quite. Which is why I didn't go so far as to state that drivers are lily white. And you mean 'assertion', I think.

 

[ACW]

last week i saw 2 police officers on bikes, they were riding on the pavement so it must be ok

 

[col]

I saw a police car on the pavement too, and a fire engine. Tsk dont they realise its not allowed? And when I saw an ambulance blocking a driveway I almost choked on my maltesers. Dunno what the bloke who was brought out of a burning house thought, but he didnt look very happy at all this rule breaking.

 

[KateK]

Do kids exempt you from the law?
There is a real problem with the law and children on pavements I think, and I'm not talking about zippy little so and so's terrifying the pants off pedestrians. Children have to learn to cycle somewhere safe, and I'm talking ages 5 upwards here. Round here parents often cycle on the road with children on the pavement. Cycle paths are good but they don't remotely join up and there are often not safe routes to school. As it is the law tends to turn a blind eye but that leaves parents and children feeling guilty and I'm sure puts some off.

 

[KateK]

that's me mucking up the reply posting again. Bikerliker didn't say that, it was me of course. Bleah computers.

 

[Vikeonabike]

Kate,
Advice from Home Secratary Paul Boateng about the introduction of fixed penalty notice for cyling on pavements covers this:
"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”

 

[compo]

As long as police officers are having to meet competency targets then minor offences that hitherto would have received a warning will more often attract a FPN. It is ludicrous paying police bonuses according to how many fines they give out.

 

[KateK]

Kate,
Advice from Home Secratary Paul Boateng about the introduction of fixed penalty notice for cyling on pavements covers this:
"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”

That's interesting...where does the quote come from?

 

[compo]

I don't know a definitive origin for the quote, except the Home Office, but it leaves things in an unsatisfactory state. Now that police are revenue raisers with targets to meet officer discretion should not be an issue. Either pavement cycling is OK or it isn't, full stop. Then we all know where we are and there can be no argument.

 

[KateK]

It is a b*****r, my 11 year old who is still small and therefore not terribly visible won't cycle on the pavement at all because she knows its not allowed, but she uses a very busy crossroads, so in bad weather she walks, even though many other children ride slowly on the pavement.

 

[Vikeonabike]

That's interesting...where does the quote come from?

http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/cycling-and-the-law/

It's all in here...

 

[Vikeonabike]

As long as police officers are having to meet competency targets then minor offences that hitherto would have received a warning will more often attract a FPN. It is ludicrous paying police bonuses according to how many fines they give out.

Point of note, we don't get PAID bonuses on how many fpns tahat are given out. However some constabularies do seem to measure performance on numbers of fpns, arrests etc.