Its Time for a Cycling Campaign of Civil Obedience

[spen666]

Today cycling down the Mile End Road ( 2 lanes each way) the police had cordoned off one lane for one of their regular vehicle spot checks.

No problems with this.

They then put up a sign saying "Cycle Lane Close Cyclists Dismount".

They did not put up a sign saying "Lane close Motorists Get out and Push".

speaking with the police present they thought it perfectly correct to put up such a sign. This despite the fact cyclists have every right to use the road and such a sign gives motorists the impression cyclists are only able to use cycle lanes.


So, being a law abiding citizen, I dismounted from my bike and walked the length of the cordoned off section pushing my bike in the middle of the remaining carriageway. nothing the police could do or say as I was doing what they told me.


I suggest whenever there are signs telling cyclists using the road to dismount you do exactly that and obey the direction given. Those signs will soon stop being used with the chaos caused by people obeying them.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

So, being a law abiding citizen, I dismounted from my bike and walked the length of the cordoned off section pushing my bike in the middle of the remaining carriageway. nothing the police could do or say as I was doing what they told me.

How is that disobedience?

GC

 

[MiK1138]

Careful Spen in todays Britain that could be considered extremism

 

[spen666]

How is that disobedience?

GC

FAIL!!!!

 

[glasgowcyclist]

FAIL!!!!

Perhaps you could explain...


GC

 

[spen666]

Perhaps you could explain...


GC

Read the title of the thread!

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Read the title of the thread!

You got me.

GC

 

[spen666]

You got me.

GC

What is your reference to disobedience about in your first post?


I have called for a campaign of civil obedience

 

[jefmcg]

I have seen a lot of very annoying use of those signs, but none where obeying it would inconvenience anyone but me. I don't think this will be a fruitful approach.

 

[theclaud]

Radical, man.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

What is your reference to disobedience about in your first post?


I have called for a campaign of civil obedience

I misread the title, hence my post #7.

GC

 

[spen666]

I have seen a lot of very annoying use of those signs, but none where obeying it would inconvenience anyone but me. I don't think this will be a fruitful approach.

If you obey it by walking down the carriageway, not the footpath, it will inconvenience other road users


Ask why cyclists are ordered off their bikes, other road users are not ordered out of their vehicles. It simply reinforces the view amongst others that cyclists do not have a right to be on the road other than in a cycle lane

 

[spen666]

I misread the title, hence my post #7.

GC

Ahhhhh - I thought you still didn't get the title d'oh

 

[I like Skol]

I'm a rebel. I stay mounted and take the lane while riding none-handed so I can wave at the authorities with both hands

They'll never take me alive!

 

[mjr]

We finally get stronger advice against roadworks using those horrible signs (in the new required-by-law Code of Practice for Safety at Street Works) but the police just carry on regardless