CTC Raising Funds To Help Clear Cyclist

[BSRU]

Just read the latest CTC email and there is an article about raising cash to help a cyclist who was given a FPN for going past the stop line because a car was occupying the ASL.

I do find it a little strange that they have chosen this case to defend, as the cyclist broke the law and was seen by a police officer doing so. The cyclists mitigating excuse is the ASL had a car in it, the cyclist has no idea if the car drove into it when the light was red or was caught in it as the lights changed.
The CTC seem to be suggesting if the ASL is full with a car in it then position yourself in front of the car

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The officer who issued the FPN had not seen the offence that is alleged to have been committed. He was told about it by a colleague. I'm not sure that's how it is supposed to work. There's wiggle room there for the CDF to exploit to prevent setting a precedent no?

 

[BSRU]

The officer who issued the FPN had not seen the offence that is alleged to have been committed. He was told about it by a colleague. I'm not sure that's how it is supposed to work. There's wiggle room there for the CDF to exploit to prevent setting a precedent no?

As long as we accept drivers getting off when they have wiggle room even when witnessed by a police officer.
The reason for the challenge is because the ASL was "blocked" by a car and the cyclist wanted to be in front of it, not the best idea sometimes.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

The appeal states:

Alex Paxton was issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for failing to stop behind the Advanced Stop Line (ASL) at a set of traffic lights. He did not stop behind the line (i.e. in the cycle box) because a car was illegally positioned in the box.​

How do they know the driver illegally entered the box when the cyclist himself has no idea?
And if he did, was he issued with a ticket too?

My approach with an ASL is not to head for it unless I can be sure it's free (and unless I'm sure I can reach it before the lights change).

GC

 

[Frood42]

The cyclist should not have gone over the stop line (so no donation from me), they should have waited a car or two back if the ASZ was taken (this is something I do, and I don't always use an ASZ even if it is there, as the lead up to it may not be the best, it depends on the situation).


Car should not have been in the ASZ unless it was unavoidable, most cars I see have:

• Not judged the lights correctly, been impatient and rolled forward into the ASL when the traffic is going nowhere (so they can try and fit through that small gap before it does turn red again, and guess what, they get no where).
• Casually rolled into the ASZ while the lights are red as they are either ignorant or don't give a hoots.

This ASZ (http://goo.gl/maps/PRIHp) doesn't look too bad on Google Maps, but with traffic, the narrowing road and pedestrain barriers it is not a place to be stuck on the left in the cycle lane.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

As long as we except drivers getting off when they have wiggle room even when witnessed by a police officer.
The reason for the challenge is because the ASL was "blocked" by a car and the cyclist wanted to be in front of it, not the best idea sometimes.

Drivers get off stuff they are charged with, even when witnessed by a police officer, every day.

 

[dellzeqq]

he may get off, but it's a strange one to go to town on. It won't set any kind of precedent, and, frankly, if you're not clear about where you're going you shouldn't go there.

 

[Primal Scream]

Maybe ASL's should be changed to the same rules as box junctions, do not enter unless your exit is clear.

 

[Arch]

Maybe ASL's should be changed to the same rules as box junctions, do not enter unless your exit is clear.

Yes, and people do so well at obeying yellow box junctions don't they?

(but yes, it would seem to be better to have a consistent rule. That said, you're not supposed to cross the studs on a pedestrian crossing unless you can clear them, and most people don't bother about it).

To dispute this penalty on those grounds is stupid, and just as arrogant as all those things drivers do 'because cyclists jump red lights'. I'm glad I'm out of the CTC these days, to be honest.

 

[buggi]

The officer who issued the FPN had not seen the offence that is alleged to have been committed. He was told about it by a colleague. I'm not sure that's how it is supposed to work. There's wiggle room there for the CDF to exploit to prevent setting a precedent no?

Well, as a police officer told me the other day that they could not issue a FPN because an officer did NOT witness the incident i clearly caught on camera, then i would say the CTC has a very good case. You can't have one rule for motorists and one rule for cyclists. Where do i donate?

 

[PK99]

Well, as a police officer told me the other day that they could not issue a FPN because an officer did NOT witness the incident i clearly caught on camera, then i would say the CTC has a very good case. You can't have one rule for motorists and one rule for cyclists. Where do i donate?

One officer who did witness radioed another who issued the fpn ie an officer did witness the offence, but did not in your case.

 

[snorri]

Where do i donate?

http://www.justgiving.com/cdf-unfairfines

 

[buggi]

One officer who did witness radioed another who issued the fpn ie an officer did witness the offence, but did not in your case.

well in that case, they don't really have a case. it would be interesting to know what happend to the driver though. did he get off scot free?

the whole thing is a bit petty though, he didnt run the red light, he just put himself in a safe place. not the safe place all of us would have chosen, but safer than sitting next to the car in a poorly designed cycle lane. but this is what i tell the cyclists at work... you can't get all high and mighty about drivers, if you flaunt the rules yourself.

 

[PK99]

being in an a
being in a cycle box is not an offence

 

[Sara_H]

I have to admit, I done this i the past, filtered down a line of traffic, found a car waiting in the box so pulled ahead of it. Just feels safer.