Cautionary tale from a palatial ride. Worth an appeal?

[RedRider]

It's a cold, bright day down here, I'm on annual leave and looking to test out a newly cig-free pair of lungs and get a few lumpy miles in my thighs. So I leave my South London home and head up to Alexandra Palace, pull a little wheely at the top and turn round, head to Crystal Palace, do the same up there then back to the abode.

I'm still tingling from this BBC mast-themed ride but also £51.95 lighter after stopping for a cup of tea and getting cautioned by the police for cycling in Regents Park.

I was deffo riding where I shouldn't but I'm disappointed at the fine as it was an honest mistake. I thought I'd share where I went wrong as a warning to others and also ask a little advice.

I'd come down Primrose Hill, jumped off the bike and pushed it across the little footbridge which takes you to the park and on to somewhere for expensive tea. There's big white lettering on the ground as you enter the park saying NO CYCLING NO SKATING but there's also a couple of signs on the gates saying CONSIDERATE CYCLING ALLOWED. I cycle considerately along The Broadwalk to the cafe stop for a slurp then carry on over the pedestrian crossing and through the gates into South Broadwalk (a distinction that proved costly). Take note: South Broadwalk is no cycling.

I was stopped by police in a car, was polite and apologetic but the ticket was already out. I did explain how I wasn't that bright, had made an honest mistake and had been confused by the signage but it was all after the fact. The bloke said he would have let me off with a warning another day but today there was a clamp down. It's what the public want, he said, it's a special operation so don't go through any red lights on your way home.

I never do.

Anyway, that's my cautionary tale. Does anyone, especially those familiar with the layout of Regents Park or police cautions, reckon the honesty of the mistake and the confusing signs make an appeal worthwhile or should I just put it down to experience?

 

[benb]

Seems harsh.

 

[BrianEvesham]

I'd appeal.

 

[Sara_H]

Problem with appeals is, they're always more expensive if you lose.

I'd pay, but my OH wouldn't. He's appealed two parking tickets and one speeding fine and had them overturned. You need to be very sure of your facts.

 

[Boris Bajic]

I'd pay and put it down to experience. In years to come you will find it funny. It sounds like a lovely ride and a good day out.

I got a speeding ticket some years ago and the car registration on the paperwork (when it arrived in the post) was wrong. But I had been speeding, so I paid it rather than argue. I got 6 Points (99.5 mph in a 70). The copper (unmarked motorcycle) had been polite, his advice about speeding with young chldren in the car was good and his tone was appropriate and respectful. I had been speeding and the fine and points were fair. The hike in my car insurance was modest and short-lived. These things happen.

I haven't regretted it for a moment and feel a slightly scowling and uncharitable scorn for those who seek to excuse or mitigate their own behaviour to save money. Every time I hear someone say it's the principle not the money, I have to suppress a giggle. It is almost always the money.

I also think there is something about how it looks to our (or other people's) children when we wriggle on the hook. They learn from example. There is a strong case for allowing children to see one standing up and taking the punishment.

I had to grin stupidly for months when my (very young) children told every guest they could that if Daddy drives fast again a policeman might be cross.

 

[RedRider]

Was a really good ride and the idea of appealing is idle daydreaming to be honest. To clarify the OP it was me who was immediately polite and apologetic. The policeman was polite and officious.

A bit later on police, a dozen at least, were pulling cars southbound on Lambeth Bridge for I'm guessing tax and insurance checks, made me feel a bit better .

 

[Cycling Dan]

I guess you could appeal on the grounds of poor signage however remember ignorance is no excuse which what I suspect you would be told. Although if the signage was that poor to the point a "reasonable person" could make the mistake then that's another matter.

 

[CopperCyclist]

I'd possibly appeal if the signage is easy to misunderstand.

Mind you, I say that on paper. If it was actually me facing the possible increased fine and court appearance I'd probably pay!

 

[mickle]

What a farking joke. They cant bring themselves to bother with the hundreds of thousands of drivers who actually pose a danger with their mobile phones.

Yet more evidence that cyclists are a persecuted minority.

 

[fossyant]

Don't ride round parks ! Unfortunately that's London and Park regs. Harsh, but it's the minority that's spoilt it for the rest.

You'd get less of a fine for killing a cyclist you know !

 

[Mile195]

I agree with the other posts. Just pay it and let it go. Unfortunately you have absolutely no grounds for appeal, honest mistake or not. If you were cycling where you're not allowed, no one will overturn it.

Bit annoying for you though, I can imagine...

 

[Sara_H]

I agree with the other posts. Just pay it and let it go. Unfortunately you have absolutely no grounds for appeal, honest mistake or not. If you were cycling where you're not allowed, no one will overturn it.

Bit annoying for you though, I can imagine...

Well he HAS actually got grounds if the signage is misleading.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I had a theory for years that if you contest a fine or ticket it costs the local authority more to investigate it than the fine would raise, so I'd contest parking tickets and never hear another word.

That was until THIS happened to me in Brighton...

 

[Sara_H]

The last parking fine my OH contested went on for months - evenually going to the onbudsman and resultinh in Nottingham councl getting a telling off.
I dread to think how much it cost them. Thing is, they were very clearly in the wrong, why they didn't just admit it I don't know.

 

[doug]

Well he HAS actually got grounds if the signage is misleading.

I run through Regents Park most lunchtimes so know it well and think the signs are very clear, the South Boardwalk has "NO CYCLING, NO SKATING" painted in large letters on the tarmac at the gate, another "NO CYCLING" on the tarmac just inside the gate and a smaller Cycling Prohibited sign. The North Boardwalk only has "NO SKATING" and has a sign saying "considerate cycling allowed". That being said the fine does sound harsh if he wasn't causing anyone a problem.