Restrictions on cyclists now being discussed at Ministerial level.

[MichaelW2]

"Pedestrian hospitalized by bicycle number plate"
Yesterday, an ambulance was called to take pensioner Fred Dumbledy to A&E with a nast cut to his leg. A cyclist passing on the mixed use cycle pedestrian crossing clipped the pensioner with the edge of his newly installed number plate. Minister Grant Shapps said " we expect quite a few of these inuries until cyclists and pedestrians get used to the thin metal number plates sticking out from bicycles.

 

[GilesM]

"Pedestrian hospitalized by bicycle number plate"
Yesterday, an ambulance was called to take pensioner Fred Dumbledy to A&E with a nast cut to his leg. A cyclist passing on the mixed use cycle pedestrian crossing clipped the pensioner with the edge of his newly installed number plate. Minister Grant Shapps said " we expect quite a few of these inuries until cyclists and pedestrians get used to the thin metal number plates sticking out from bicycles.

I think we will need the old style front mudguard ones motorbikes used to have.

 

[numbnuts]

I wonder, if it ever happens..., whether you will be able to get personalised plates?
B 0 NK
CR 4 NK

 

[craigwend]

Think of the children

 

[Alex321]

I'm sure I read many many years ago that cyclists cannot be prosecuted for breeching speed limits as they do not have speedometers as a compulsory component on their bicycle. So no way of knowing what speed they are traveling at.

There are other legal loopholes that can be used (riding furiously etc), but not specifically for speeding.

Not sure if today's bike computers displaying current speed might invalidate this theory.

There is no requirement to have such a computer on your bike.

The current law specifies "motor vehicles" in the speeding section, which is why it doesn't apply to bikes. Shapps appears to be proposing to change that so it includes bicycles.

But the odds are he won't be transport minister any more after next month, and he is most likely well aware of the practical difficulties in attempting to change this. It WOULD require some form of visible identification, which most existing bikes don't have the capability of carrying. It would probably also require bikes to have an operative speed indicator of some sort.

This is just an attention seeking statement by him, hoping to gain enough visibility to have some ministerial post under whoever becomes the new PM.

 

[Alex321]

I think we will need the old style front mudguard ones motorbikes used to have.

But speed cameras will not be able to see those.

And many modern road bikes don't have the capability to take mudguards to fit them on

 

[markemark]

I'm sure I read many many years ago that cyclists cannot be prosecuted for breeching speed limits as they do not have speedometers as a compulsory component on their bicycle. So no way of knowing what speed they are traveling at.

Although the story is just nonsense and come to nothing, the lack of speedometer would not be a barrier any more than the lack of alcohol detectors in cars stop there being legal limits as to when you can drive or not.

 

[matticus]

Cat thrown amongst pigeons discussing meaningful thread titles.

Nailed it!

 

[youngoldbloke]

But speed cameras will not be able to see those.

And many modern road bikes don't have the capability to take mudguards to fit them on

Maybe a bar code tattooed on our foreheads after we pass the highway code test and show our insurance papers?

 

[Illaveago]

Why don't they just fit a tachograph ?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I think we will need the old style front mudguard ones motorbikes used to have.

They stopped using them because of the injuries they were causing in collisions.

 

[Cycleops]

"Pedestrian hospitalized by bicycle number plate"
Yesterday, an ambulance was called to take pensioner Fred Dumbledy to A&E with a nast cut to his leg. A cyclist passing on the mixed use cycle pedestrian crossing clipped the pensioner with the edge of his newly installed number plate. Minister Grant Shapps said " we expect quite a few of these inuries until cyclists and pedestrians get used to the thin metal number plates sticking out from bicycles.

You jest but this was why front number plates on motorbikes were removed.

 

[Cycleops]

Maybe a bar code tattooed on our foreheads after we pass the highway code test and show our insurance papers?

Maybe some of the tattoo advocates on here would welcome this

 

[Illaveago]

It’s an interview from Shapps to the DM telling them what they wanted to hear from a man who’ll be out of a job as the transport secretary in a couple of weeks.

Is that what he does ?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

He also said that cyclists can easily exceed the new 10 mph speed limits
OK mate let's put you and Boris on a nice flat road and see you do , even on a legal ebike
Generally ride my bike at around 15 to 16 mph and only very good road bike riders pass me

Still. Good fodder for the red faced angry brigade

Morons