Obey the law or use common sense?

[saddlesoar]

During an aborted ride from Bournemouth to Lulworth Cove I happened to find myself riding along the seafront at Bournemouth just after 10am during August which there is a rule (or maybe even a law) against.

Upon passing a lifeguard hut a voice shouted out it was after 10am and I would have to push my bike. Because the weather was so bad there was no-one about so I said I was sorry but I was going to have to use my common sense and keep riding, if the promenade got crowded I would walk.

Upon passing another lifeguard position they sent out an angry lifeguard who stood in front of me virtually nose to nose and shouted at me to get off my bike. I started to explain my reasons for riding but knowing I was actually in the wrong I didn't persevere and when threatened with a fine decided to cut though a car park to the road.

I know they were only doing what someone else had asked them to enforce and they do a sterling job of pulling people out of trouble in the sea but surely a bit of common sense would have prevailed? There were just as many people pushing their bikes as there were people walking.

And in September if we happen to have a good weekend of weather the place will be rammed and because the rule only applies in August anyone can cycle up and down the prom all day.

Comments?

 

[fossyant]

Stick to the road - errant pedestrians are a nightmare ! Not as good a view though ! Jobsworth's with now't to do.....as it wasn't busy...

 

[wlc1]

Why did you stop ? Ride around him - accidentally fall off and where there's blames there's a claim

Lifeguards can't issue fines can they ? I don't think they can.

By laws are only enforceable by fines so don't worry. No criminal record if you cycle off as they have no powers of arrest or detention.

 

[saddlesoar]

Why did you stop ? Ride around him - accidentally fall off and where there's blames there's a claim

There were barriers behind him which I would have had to slow down for anyway. I guess the barriers were there because they have had problems with people riding during crowded times. Which is fair enough I suppose.

 

[wlc1]

Ah,

Still I think he was being a bit too forceful.

A polite Foxtrot Oscar would have sufficed in that situation.

 

[Night Train]

I think I would have walked my bike or riden on the road. It may have been quiet but wouldn't you complain if someone drove a car in a dedicated cycle lane just because there wasn't many cyclists around and they thought they were careful and using 'common sense'?

Being rude to the life guard would only mean that the next time you, or a family member, needed their help it would be him saying 'Ahhh, so you don't like me doing my job then? Well, you can Foxtrot Oscar too!'.

 

[saddlesoar]

wouldn't you complain if someone drove a car in a dedicated cycle lane just because there wasn't many cyclists around and they thought they were careful and using 'common sense'?

A valid point, but I can get off my bike and push if a lot people appear, it's unlikely a car driver will stop and push their car!

 

[Smokin Joe]

You can't pick and choose which laws you want to obey.

 

[Night Train]

A valid point, but I can get off my bike and push if a lot people appear, it's unlikely a car driver will stop and push their car!

Not saying the car driver would push their car on a cycle lane but you would complain if the car driver, on being told to stop driving in the cycle lane, said that he would if there were enough cyclists in it.

If the bylaw says no cycling at those times and places then you should accept that. As you say, it only applies for a month so for one month of the year they want it pedestrian only. It isn't a lot to ask.
There are plenty of short duration bylaws that say no dogs on beaches during the summer season. It doesn't mean that you can still take a dog on the beach if there were only a handful or so of holiday makers. And don't say that it isn't the same as your bike doesn't poo on the pavement.

I see so many cycle riders who RLJ, ignore no entry signs, cycle on pedestrian areas and on the pavement, cycle on the wrong side of the road, etc. and then give attitude as if they, being on a bike, have a right to flout the rules and put others at risk of accident or cause nuisence.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Not saying the car driver would push their car on a cycle lane but you would complain if the car driver, on being told to stop driving in the cycle lane, said that he would if there were enough cyclists in it.

If the bylaw says no cycling at those times and places then you should accept that. As you say, it only applies for a month so for one month of the year they want it pedestrian only. It isn't a lot to ask.
There are plenty of short duration bylaws that say no dogs on beaches during the summer season. It doesn't mean that you can still take a dog on the beach if there were only a handful or so of holiday makers. And don't say that it isn't the same as your bike doesn't poo on the pavement.

I see so many cycle riders who RLJ, ignore no entry signs, cycle on pedestrian areas and on the pavement, cycle on the wrong side of the road, etc. and then give attitude as if they, being on a bike, have a right to flout the rules and put others at risk of accident or cause nuisence.

They are the same people who get behind the wheel of their cars and sit two feet from your bumper on the motorway, giving you the finger because you dare to be in their way. Bad behaviour is not dictated by the vehicle choice, but by character.

 

[BigAndyH]

Apply common sense ! Get off and walk until you are well passed the bloke, then get back on and ride.

I have witnessed a few near misses on the prom - even when cycling is allowed you have to adjust your speed if there are a lot of pedestrians about. Most recent was a guy on a roadbike going over the handlebars. He was attempting to weave through several groups of pedestrians without slowing down when a child stepped out and he had to hit the brakes. Luckily both he and the child were unhurt.

At least this year Bournemouth and Poole, whose beaches run into one another, have adopted a common set of restrictions so you have less excuse for not knowing the rules.

 

[rich p]

There's a cycle path that runs for several miles on the Brighton prom which is fraught with danger of collisions of unaware peds but cycling is banned for some reason on a 200 yard section out of town whre the promenade is 40 yards wide and rarely used by walkers (by Hove Lagoon for those who know the area). There's no logic to it and I admit to ignoring the pointless ban.

 

[swee'pea99]

Sounds dangerously akin to picking and choosing which laws to obey to me. And you a Senior Member.<shock horror>

 

[PaulB]

You can't pick and choose which laws you want to obey.

You can if the law is plainly daft. Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men, as Doulas Bader was fond of saying.

 

[vernon]

You can if the law is plainly daft. Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men, as Doulas Bader was fond of saying.

That's the slippery slope towards justification of red light jumping y all and sundry, speeding (it was an open road gov it wasn't causing a problem) and whether or not a law is daft is a personal opinion and not a fact - try defending that stance when refusing to pay a fixed penalty notice.

It's simply bad citizenship and irresposible to pick and choose which byelaws to obey and which to ignore. Common sense does not come in to it.