PCSO fining powers

[srw]

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/pc...cyclists-without-lights-and-reflectors/015786

Social media seems to be getting agitated about the prospect of numpty PCSOs stopping and fining cyclists without pedal reflectors. My suspicions are:
(a) That the PCSO law is an exact transposition of the current law that enables police to stop and fine cyclists without lights and reflectors;
(b) That the lack of fines given by police for riding without pedal reflectors means that there won't be an epidemic of PCSO fines;
(c) That it will be a very brave Chief Constable indeed who supports fining cyclists for not having pedal reflectors.

Am I being too sanguine?

 

[cosmicbike]

They're more likely to try and fine you for not wearing HiViz and a helmet

 

[oldstrath]

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/pc...cyclists-without-lights-and-reflectors/015786

Social media seems to be getting agitated about the prospect of numpty PCSOs stopping and fining cyclists without pedal reflectors. My suspicions are:
(a) That the PCSO law is an exact transposition of the current law that enables police to stop and fine cyclists without lights and reflectors;
(b) That the lack of fines given by police for riding without pedal reflectors means that there won't be an epidemic of PCSO fines;
(c) That it will be a very brave Chief Constable indeed who supports fining cyclists for not having pedal reflectors.

Am I being too sanguine?

You're probably right, but it gives the fools who lead us another distraction from doing something about the people who actually cause most of the deaths on our roads. Is a pedal reflector really going to drag some numpty's attention away from his texting, his sandwich, and his job worries?

 

[Davidc]

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/pc...cyclists-without-lights-and-reflectors/015786

Social media seems to be getting agitated about the prospect of numpty PCSOs stopping and fining cyclists without pedal reflectors. My suspicions are:
(a) That the PCSO law is an exact transposition of the current law that enables police to stop and fine cyclists without lights and reflectors;
(b) That the lack of fines given by police for riding without pedal reflectors means that there won't be an epidemic of PCSO fines;
(c) That it will be a very brave Chief Constable indeed who supports fining cyclists for not having pedal reflectors.

Am I being too sanguine?

I don't think you are, but I reserve the right to change my mind if and when the first fine happens!

What wouldn't surprise me would be to see this used in conjunction with lack of lights to up the severity of that.

 

[Cubist]

My guess is tht this is a complete non story whipped up to cause a "woe is us" reaction from the poor beleaguered cyclists. so its an added power for PCSOs, sfw? There is no declared intent for them all to go out and enforce it. When were any of you last searched for fireworks?

 

[Ern1e]

" When were any of you last searched for fireworks?"[/quote]
If my memeory is still working correctly it was about 45 years ago or was that 46 uhm I shall just pop of for a wee while and ponder on it !

 

[MontyVeda]

I think I'll err on the side of caution and simply fit pedal reflectors that comply with the law not stop should a PCSO try to 'have a chat'.

 

[ianrauk]

I think I'll err on the side of caution and simply fit pedal reflectors that comply with the law not stop should a PCSO try to 'have a chat'.

'twas what I did last week. Got waved to stop but just shouted at him "Sorry, Late for work!" and cruised on by..

 

[byegad]

If it's not dark you don't need 'em. Anyone want to run a sweep on how long before a PCSO tries to book someone in broad daylight?

 

[srw]

Ahem. To come back to my original questions - how much are the existing police powers used? Is the PCSO law just a transposition of the PC law?

Without that information we're just speculating.

I hesitate to do this, but.... Paging @User

 

[Cubist]

Ahem. To come back to my original questions - how much are the existing police powers used? Is the PCSO law just a transposition of the PC law?

Without that information we're just speculating.

I hesitate to do this, but.... Paging @User

I answered your question. OK, my answer included a reference to other powers not used frequently by pcsos, but by the same token di you know of any motorist who has been fined for having no water in their washer bottle?

To spell it out, this has been whipped up by bikebiz following the events of the last few weeks. It's given everyone an opportunity to wring their hands and mock pcsos through anecdotal nonsense, and I've read several forums where people are scrambling to comply with the requirement in case the full weight of the authorities is visited upon them. It's bolloxks.

 

[byegad]

That's a new one on me. I'm sure the Highway Code mentions using your lights in daylight fog 'If you have them fitted' and I'm equaly sure Chris Juden of the CTC when asked about pedal reflectors said you only needed them at night. And here's another source. http://ukcyclerules.com/2010/11/08/bike-lights-and-reflectors-the-basics/

 

[porteous]

A clear guide to current lighting/reflector law is given here:

http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/lighting-regulations

PCSOs have two sorts of powers. The first is "Standard powers" held by all PCSOs ( The first one of which concerns fixed penalty notices for riding cycles on the pavement), and "Discretionary powers" delegated by the Chief Constable of the police authority area in which the PCSO serves. A complete list of both sorts is here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117572/pcso-powers.pdf

The power to stop members of the public is reasonably implied in many of these powers.
All else can be usefully classified as "mere corroborative detail, designed to add verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative" * Unless you are a lawyer. Lawyers make their money out of people that are convinced the law is as they think in should be, and not as it is.

(All my bikes were manufactured prior to Oct 1990, so I don't need pedal reflectors. I rely on my trusty acetylene headlight, rear oil lamp and man with a red flag walking in front. Actually I bless the man that invented modern high intensity LED lighting every time its gloomy, cos even in daylight they are difficult to miss, unlike the pathetic 2.5w 6v bulbs that were the best you could get in the 50s)

Evening All

* Poobah, Lord High Everything Else. The Mikado

 

[byegad]

As a recumbent rider I await being stopped for no pedal reflectors at night, short of an invisibility cloak for me and several parts of my trikes there isn't a hope in Hades that a pedal reflector can be seen from behind, I suppose it is possible for me to fit a forward facing one angled to be seen, but then the front panniers and fairing will obscure them on the Kettwiesel anyway! I do carry extra lights, in fact the trikes are usually lit up like a Xmas tree at night, but I imagine a PCSO will not care about that!

 

[Alun]

As a recumbent rider I await being stopped for no pedal reflectors at night, short of an invisibility cloak for me and several parts of my trikes there isn't a hope in Hades that a pedal reflector can be seen from behind, I suppose it is possible for me to fit a forward facing one angled to be seen, but then the front panniers and fairing will obscure them on the Kettwiesel anyway! I do carry extra lights, in fact the trikes are usually lit up like a Xmas tree at night, but I imagine a PCSO will not care about that!

The reflectors have to be visible to the front and rear of each pedal, not from the front and rear of the cycle, ie they have to be fitted and you have to be able to see that they are fitted. Happy to help!
Pedal Reflectors: Four are required, coloured amber and marked BS6102/2 (or equivalent), positioned so that one is plainly visible to the front and another to the rear of each pedal.