Are cyclists exempt from speed limits?
- Thread starter classic33
- Start date
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Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
The only place that speed restrictions can apply to cyclists are on specific shared use areas, such as promenades which would have a by-law setting out the restriction.
Normal roads - pedal away.
Normal roads - pedal away.
Pedal cycles are exempt from general speed limits, but
- they are not exempt from speed limits imposed by local byelaws, if those specifically extend to cyclists
- it is an offence to cycle at an unsafe speed. So if there was a 20mph speed limit, as there is in many residential areas, caning round at 25mph could be criminal.
- they are not exempt from speed limits imposed by local byelaws, if those specifically extend to cyclists
- it is an offence to cycle at an unsafe speed. So if there was a 20mph speed limit, as there is in many residential areas, caning round at 25mph could be criminal.
Night Train
Maker of Things
- Location
- Greater Manchester
Is there somewhere where that can be quoted from?
JtB
Prepare a way for the Lord
- Location
- North Hampshire
How does a cyclist know how fast he's going? :-s
Cycling Dan
Cycle Crazy
On 'normal' public highways, the general speed limits (whatever they are) do not apply to bicycles.
The Highway code references RTRA, which is the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, sections 81, 86, 89 & schedule 6. In fact, these sections all fall withinPart VI of the act, which is entirely about speed limits.
The first thing to note is that the Highway Code blanket statement is wrong - section 81 is quite explicit that "It shall not be lawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle on a restricted road at a speed exceeding 30 miles per hour" (my emphasis).
Further reading reveals that throughout this act, the speed limits discussed apply to motor vehicles and their drivers, not to cyclists. Note, for example section 89: "A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road at a speed exceeding a limit imposed by or under any enactment to which this section applies shall be guilty of an offence."
It should be noted that it seems there is a theoretical possibility for a speed limit to be imposed on cyclists. Although the 'standard' way for speed limits is via the RTRA noted above, TSRGD 2002, The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 allows for speed limits to be imposed by local acts (here).
In principle, a local act might create a speed limit that applied to cyclists. However, it's very unlikely, and I've never seen a reference to one that does. Further, the act would have to define the offence and penalty - it could not simply refer back to the RTRA, because the offence created in that act explicitly applies to the drivers of motor vehicles. So, it would be possible for a road to have a speed limit created by local act that applied to cyclists, but it's very unlikely, and even if it did, it is further unlikely that there would be an offence committed in breaking the speed limit.
However, despite the fact that speed limits do not apply to bicycles, you can be prosecuted simply for cycling too fast - under the charge of 'cycling furiously'. You can also be prosecuted for riding dangerously o carelessly. Although very unlikely. Normally you have to kill someone for such a thing to happen. Also since cyclists don't apply to the above regarding the road traffic act a ticket eg a £60 fine cant be issued and as such only prosecution through the court system is possible.
The Highway code references RTRA, which is the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, sections 81, 86, 89 & schedule 6. In fact, these sections all fall withinPart VI of the act, which is entirely about speed limits.
The first thing to note is that the Highway Code blanket statement is wrong - section 81 is quite explicit that "It shall not be lawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle on a restricted road at a speed exceeding 30 miles per hour" (my emphasis).
Further reading reveals that throughout this act, the speed limits discussed apply to motor vehicles and their drivers, not to cyclists. Note, for example section 89: "A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road at a speed exceeding a limit imposed by or under any enactment to which this section applies shall be guilty of an offence."
It should be noted that it seems there is a theoretical possibility for a speed limit to be imposed on cyclists. Although the 'standard' way for speed limits is via the RTRA noted above, TSRGD 2002, The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 allows for speed limits to be imposed by local acts (here).
In principle, a local act might create a speed limit that applied to cyclists. However, it's very unlikely, and I've never seen a reference to one that does. Further, the act would have to define the offence and penalty - it could not simply refer back to the RTRA, because the offence created in that act explicitly applies to the drivers of motor vehicles. So, it would be possible for a road to have a speed limit created by local act that applied to cyclists, but it's very unlikely, and even if it did, it is further unlikely that there would be an offence committed in breaking the speed limit.
However, despite the fact that speed limits do not apply to bicycles, you can be prosecuted simply for cycling too fast - under the charge of 'cycling furiously'. You can also be prosecuted for riding dangerously o carelessly. Although very unlikely. Normally you have to kill someone for such a thing to happen. Also since cyclists don't apply to the above regarding the road traffic act a ticket eg a £60 fine cant be issued and as such only prosecution through the court system is possible.
Mark Grant
Acting Captain of The St Annes Jombulance.
- Location
- Hanworth, Middx.
The 20mph limit in Richmond park certainly applies to cyclists.
That's a bye law and is not governed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act
glasgowcyclist
Charming but somewhat feckless
- Location
- Scotland
I suppose any driver/rider if any vehicle on a road may be stopped by the police but that's a completely different thing from being prosecuted for something.
I'd ask whoever gave that answer to clarify their point and back it up with a reference to the relevant law(s).
Aside from Royal Parks and some local bye-laws mentioned above, there's no speed limit restrictions on cyclists.
GC
OP
OP
classic33
Leg End Member
Senders name removed. But its the local councils response.
Safer Sustainable Transport
Northgate House
Northgate
Halifax HX1 1UN
