Are cyclists exempt from speed limits?

[User482]

The advice from the Police FAQ database is that:

"Any speedometer that is fitted to a vehicle must be kept in good working order whilst the vehicle is being used on a road. The penalty for failing to have a speedometer in good working order is a fine.

However, if the speedometer develops a fault whilst being used or a defect has been discovered then all steps must be taken to rectify the fault with reasonable expedition. This exception applies only when the defect develops and must be repaired before the next journey."

Don't forget the advice is just that and if you get an cop who's had a bad day, or you fail the attitude test, then the approach might change.

THE ROAD VEHICLES (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) REGULATIONS 1986 (SI 1986 No. 107)

SPEEDOMETERS
These must be fitted to all motor vehicles registered from 1 October 1937.

Speedometers must be maintained in good working order at all "material times" ie when a vehicle is used on a journey unless:

(a) a defect occurs during a journey, or
(b) steps are taken to have the equipment repaired or replaced as soon as possible. (Regulation 36 and EC Directive 75/443)

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I had a colleague who routinely detached the speedo on his car to keep the mileage down. He never saw anything wrong with this whatsoever.

Didn't he know the old trick of putting the speedo cable end into a drill? Whizzzzzz and there goes 5,000 miles.

GC

 

[SteCenturion]

Police are not qualified to calibrate speedometers on any type of vehicle.
You only need to change the tyre size to throw the setting out.

Maybe not but GMP officers Are qualified to carry out 'sense of humour checks'

 

[SteCenturion]

And who sets them up prior to use on a bike?

Thought you would 'get there in the end'.
All tongue in cheek pal - all tongue in cheek

 

[Rouge79]

So, stay on your brakes.

How would you react to a driver who said they couldn't keep to a speed limit because it meant using their brakes?

I thought cars relied on "engine braking" for when going down hill. ell thats what i remember from my driving lessons many years ago. As cycles don't have an engine we would have NO brakes pads left if we kept the brakes on all the time when going down hill.

 

[classic33]

Thought you would 'get there in the end'.
All tongue in cheek pal - all tongue in cheek

Thrown by the fact that yours was one of the few that stuck with the original points raised.
I'm thinking, given the way its gone it should be moved to CA&D. Resurrectted after six months!

 

[SteCenturion]

Thrown by the fact that yours was one of the few that stuck with the original points raised.
I'm thinking, given the way its gone it should be moved to CA&D. Resurrectted after six months!

Don't know the CA&D thread (new member-ish) so wasn't on CC back then.

It's definitely a 'Hot Potato' this topic though eh ?

 

[classic33]

The way their doing it now, yes.
It started because the local council Road Safety Unit insisted that cyclists can be prosecuted for speeding. Asked how when there is no legal requirement to have any device capable of measuring your actual speed fitted.
You threw in the other sticking point of who would actually calibrate & check it was correct.

 

[fabregas485]

Yes, ignorance of the law is no defence.

[QUOTE 2875588, member: 30090"]Yes and I would happily accept such as a fine. The law is the law, think of the mental health issues of the deer in the park having to put up with speeding cyclists that have little to no regard for the poor souls.[/quote]

I thought as much.

 

[SteCenturion]

Yes, ignorance of the law is no defence.

No it's not but...

I find...

It can be bliss.

My missus tells me stuff all the time...

I ignore her...

Heavenly.

 

[subaqua]

just don't ride like a tw@

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Got this answer with regards a proposed speed reduction:
"Cyclists are not exempt from speed restrictions and can be stopped for speeding in the same way that any other driver/vehicle can be stopped."
How true is the answer they supplied?

well that's going to be a problem in Cambridge as they have 20 mph limits all over!

 

[classic33]

well that's going to be a problem in Cambridge as they have 20 mph limits all over!

That was the reason for asking the council the question in the first place. New 20mph zones.

 

[02GF74]

Got this answer with regards a proposed speed reduction:
"Cyclists are not exempt from speed restrictions and can be stopped for speeding in the same way that any other driver/vehicle can be stopped."
How true is the answer they supplied?

the answer is correct. I was stopped once for doing 46 mph in a 30 mph limit (ok, it was downhill, i am not indurain)

also cyclists can get points on the license for this (assumes that he cyslist has driving license) and i know somebody who go done for being drunk on a bicycle - no sure if he got pints on his license.

 

[swee'pea99]

the answer is correct. I was stopped once for doing 46 mph in a 30 mph limit (ok, it was downhill, i am not indurain)

also cyclists can get points on the license for this (assumes that he cyslist has driving license) and i know somebody who go done for being drunk on a bicycle - no sure if he got pints on his license.

That doesn't prove the answer correct. It just shows that the police don't always know the law. This guy in New York was ticketed by a cop and eventually fined $50 for riding outside the cycle lane. This despite the fact that riding outside the cycle lane is not an offence.