Anyone ever see a cyclist get a ticket from a copper?

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robjh

Legendary Member
Friends of mine got fined in Spain (Costa Blanca) this January for riding through a red light. Payment by card machine on the spot - I believe it was €100 each.

I've been stopped by police twice for minor cycling misdeeds, once in the UK, once in Germany (and shouted at in Slovenia). In the first two cases I apologised profusely and was allowed to continue on my way, in the third I think they shrugged their shoulders and said 'he doesn't understand' and I disappeared down a side street.
 

robjh

Legendary Member
Failed the attitude test ?
In my old man's day when he was a copper in South London, known as the 'Mitcham Breathing Act'. Not particularly cycling-related, but liberally applied to anyone not showing the expected cooperation with the law 🤣
 
Of course al lot of the problems mentioned have already been sorted in the Daily Mail letters page

just put a proper number plate on all bikes and execute fine anyone found riding a bike without one

age is no excuse - bloomin' 3 year olds thinking they own the damn road on their balance bikes!!!

on a more forum based idea - they go really well with the average carbon framed time trial machine with the hi-tech lycra skinsuit and aero helmet - with a standard number plate nailed to the newly fitted rear mudguard
 

Solocle

Veteran
Location
Poole
I nearly got a ticket from a 'York Enforcment Officer' as I was cycling in the none cycling zone, I could start moaning he was a sarcy git but as I'd cycled past several signs telling me not to cycle I'd expect he point out I was a bit of a Mr Magoo for not noticing the signs. Lucky to get away with that one I think.

I had fairly similar in Oxford on Cornmarket Street, a timed no-cycling restriction, and I think I was 1/2 hour too early. Thing was the chap was able to walk up to me as I was riding at about 5 mph, whereas the Deliveroos were going through at 15 with no recourse.
 

Evil_Breakfast

Well-Known Member
This was Amsterdam 2/9/24.
Was enjoying an al-fresco beer, and people watching, when I clocked this unfolding.
So, as to the context, it's impossible to say, but I assumed -at the time- it must have been serious enough to warrant a 'road-side' chat.
Extra pointage awarded for the Jumbo van, lurking at the right of shot.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15aDGDQv1d/
 

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styles

Member
Plenty when I lived in London.

The Met occasionally do targeted campaigns against e.g. red light jumping, cycling on pavements, or riding "e-bikes" which are so high powered or assist too high a speed or are not pedal-assist that they are legally motorbikes.

I've seen the same red light jumping campaign at the same junction in Old Street twice.

It's rare but then it kinda ought to be given the low risk of red light jumping cyclists compared to other crimes, including other road traffic offences; com Ines with the limited resources the Met has these days.

I've seen a copper on the beat deal with a cyclist the once, but he was being a real twonk cycling pretty fast on the pavement with a load of pedestrians around, and also gave the officer jip instead of saying yeah my bad I'll sort myself out. They took his details but not sure if he was actually ticketed (not sure what level of knowledge the average beat officer has about road traffic offences compared to a traffic cop).
 

Binky

Über Member
Seeing as original post was about police in Spain, it's also against the law there to cycle with earphones in. Don't know whether cyclist involved was using them but police there can ticket you for that.
 

Profpointy

Legendary Member
Seeing as original post was about police in Spain, it's also against the law there to cycle with earphones in. Don't know whether cyclist involved was using them but police there can ticket you for that.

Ironic really, as it is considered advisable to wear ear plugs on a motorbike to avoid permanent hearing damage. Note: this is from wind noise on the helmet not "noisy motorbikes"
 

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
This reminds me of a friend of mine who, when he has had a few is a very happy, friendly drunk. He was stopped for cycling inside Paddington station. The copper asked him, very seriously, if he'd been drinking. My happy friend proudly replied "yes, loads and loads".

The copper just told him to get off and behave himself.
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
I once had a police constable shaped object shout at me to 'Get Off That Bike" by the clocktower in Leicester. Funny thing was he was stood beneath the signs for the cylepaths those blue ones with a bike on them and direction arrows/distances. His colleague (a proper copper) just stood there shaking his head.
 
No ticket, but my brother was stopped by a police car for doing 35mph on a 30mph road. Apparently their first question was ‘do you know how fast you were travelling’. ‘Erm, no?’
I think he would have liked a ticket, if only to have it framed.

Many eyars ago I read about a cyclist who was stopped when he was riding very fast

the Police Officer threatened him with a conviction for Furious Cycling if he found him riding that fast again

He said he kept riding fast anyway because he wanted the conviction to have it framed on his wall with the speed!
 

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
I first heard the phrase "furious pedalling" back at school in the 70s when someone claimed to have had an uncle who has been convicted of it. Of course it sounded so ridiculous so no one believed a word of it.

So I apologise to whoever you were, I've forgotten. I should have trusted you and defended you against the accusations of making stuff up.
 
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