Cyclist and speeding laws help please.

[I like Skol]

Well, my Cateye Strada Wireless recorded that I reached the furious speed of 22.7 mph in Richmond Park this evening, in the dark. The bye-law limit is 20 mph. Should I present myself to Hammersmith police station and fess up? The possible guilt is a heavy burden to carry.

I think you should burn your computer to destroy the evidence then refuse to name the driver and move house sharpish so any NIP doesn't get to you!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

How does one furious freewheel?

This is a question to be put to the jury if any cyclist ever gets nicked for letting gravity have its wicked way.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Well, my Cateye Strada Wireless recorded that I reached the furious speed of 22.7 mph in Richmond Park this evening, in the dark. The bye-law limit is 20 mph. Should I present myself to Hammersmith police station and fess up? The possible guilt is a heavy burden to carry.

The deer know you're guilty. You'll never be able to look them in the eyes again till you turn yourself in.

 

[HLaB]

Maybe so. However I have not seen a law that says you can be done for speeding, only if you have a speedo fitted.
If this was the case then most club/racer/time trial cyclists would remove their speedos sharpish.

Are those speedos classified as properly calibrated, like that in a car

 

[Drago]

Gentlemen, enough! You can be fingered for it and I will make it my mission to establish the salacious details on Monday, because Thatcher was still PM when I did that lesson and I can't remember it.

Until then perhaps a little sweepstake?

 

[slowmotion]

I think you should burn your computer to destroy the evidence then refuse to name the driver and move house sharpish so any NIP doesn't get to you!

Yes, you are right. Facial plastic surgery is booked for Monday, and the private jet to some dodgy banana republic takes off in the evening. Sorted.

 

[benborp]

It's got nothing to do with speedos or computers or the ability of cyclists to reach the relevant speed. The law applies to motor vehicles. Bicycles are not motor vehicles. The Highway Code cites the following sections of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 19884 - sects 81, 86, 89 & sch 6. I've included the act's definition of motor vehicle and pedal cycle. The legislation covering Royal Parks specifically states that those speed limits apply to cycles. (Edit: The legislation is still the RTRA 19884, with two amendments, the latest in 2010 which changed the class of vehicle to which the Royal Park sections of the act applied. The speed limits are governed by primary legislation and not bye-laws.) Only certain areas of Greenwich Park are classified as a Royal Park.

81​

General speed limit for restricted roads.​

(1)​

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.​

​

86​

Speed limits for particular classes of vehicles.​

(1)​

It shall not be lawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle of any class on a road at a speed greater than the speed specified in Schedule 6 to this Act as the maximum speed in relation to a vehicle of that class.​

​

89​

Speeding offences generally.​

(1)​

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​

136

Meaning of “motor vehicle” and other expressions relating to vehicles.​

(1)​

In this Act, subject to section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (which makes special provision with respect to invalid carriages), “motor vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads, and “trailer” means a vehicle drawn by a motor vehicle.​

(2)​

In this Act “motor car” means a mechanically propelled vehicle, not being a motor cycle or an invalid carriage, which is constructed itself to carry a load or passengers and of which the weight unladen—​

(a)​

if it is constructed solely for the carriage of passengers and their effects, is adapted to carry not more than 7 passengers exclusive of the driver, and is fitted with tyres of such type as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, does not exceed 3050 kilograms;​

(b)​

if it is constructed or adapted for use for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description, does not exceed 3050 kilograms (or 3500 kilograms if the vehicle carries a container or containers for holding, for the purposes of its propulsion, any fuel which is wholly gaseous at 17·5 degrees Celsius under a pressure of 1·013 bar or plant and materials for producing such fuel); or​

(c)​

in a case falling within neither of the foregoing paragraphs, does not exceed 2540 kilograms.​

(3)​

In this Act “heavy motor car” means a mechanically propelled vehicle, not being a motor car, which is constructed itself to carry a load or passengers and of which the weight unladen exceeds 2540 kilograms.​

(4)​

In this Act (except for the purposes of [sections 57 and 63]) “motor cycle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle (not being an invalid carriage) with fewer than 4 wheels, of which the weight unladen does not exceed 410 kilograms.​

(5)​

In this Act “invalid carriage” means a mechanically propelled vehicle of which the weight unladen does not exceed 254 kilograms and which is specially designed and constructed, and not merely adapted, for the use of a person suffering from some physical default or disability and is used solely by such a person.​

(6)​

In this Act “motor tractor” means a mechanically propelled vehicle which is not constructed itself to carry a load, other than excepted articles, and of which the weight unladen does not exceed 7370 kilograms.​

(7)​

In this Act “light locomotive” and “heavy locomotive” mean a mechanically propelled vehicle which is not constructed itself to carry a load, other than excepted articles, and of which the weight unladen—​

(a)​

in the case of a light locomotive, exceeds 7370 but does not exceed 11690 kilograms, and​

(b)​

in the case of a heavy locomotive, exceeds 11690 kilograms.​

(8)​

In subsections (6) and (7) above “excepted articles” means any of the following, that is to say, water, fuel, accumulators and other equipment used for the purpose of propulsion, loose tools and loose equipment.​

192​

General interpretation of Act.​

(1)​

In this Act—​

• “cycle” means a bicycle, a tricycle, or a cycle having four or more wheels, not being in any case a motor vehicle​
  ​

Schedule 6 mentioned above gives the specific speed limit for specific motor vehicle types. Cycles are not mentioned. The Act is carefully worded throughout as to which vehicles each section of the act applies to. Much of the act applies to the use of cycles as they are covered by the term vehicle. The omission of pedal cycles from various parts of the legislation is not an oversight.

I checked this five minutes ago, while David Cameron was still Prime Minister. My memory is pretty good over this timescale.

 

[Tim Hall]

I believe I'll have a piece of that action.

Two things: The speedo thing is a red herring. (clue: drink driving laws and the preponderance of intoximeters fitted to cars). And my understanding is speed limits refer back to, umm can't remember, RTRA, which then goes on to say about "motor vehicles" or "mechanically propelled vehicles". Which a bicycle aint. And another thing (so that's three). Royal Parks used to be covered by a bylaw that referred to "any vehicle", allowing London Dynamo to be banged up. But the latest revision refers to "mechanically propelled vehicles".

Where's User when you need him?

Edit: cross post with ben.

 

[slowmotion]

A bit off-topic, but who of this parish does not snigger at the antics of Shane John Corkery? He did a lot of damage to a toilet...

http://www.luyulei.net/cases/04_02-Corkery-v-Carpenter.html

 

[snorri]

"Speeding" is rather a loose term, some take it to mean exceeding the legal speed limit for a motor vehicle, but it can just as easily mean travelling too fast for your own safety and the safety of others.
If while cycling you are considered to be endangering other people there could well be an interest shown by law enforcement, regardless of your precise speed.

 

[Trail Child]

I know that here, bicycles are considered "vehicles" under the Highway Traffic Act, and are subject to the same laws as motorized vehicles. Cyclists here can be charged with speeding, failure to yield and stop, dangerous driving, impaired driving, etc.

My brother has been charged with speeding and unsafe driving while on a bicycle about 10 years ago and the fine was the same amount as a motorist would have been charged (I personally think his poor attitude led to him being made an example, but that's another story.)

 

[benborp]

I bet I can tell you Adrian!

 

[Trail Child]

Where is here?

Ontario, Canada.

 

[gaz]

It's not 'kin twitter, mate.

I think the @ username sends the user an alert.

 

[ianjmcd]

yes you can be done for speeding as i once was in ramsgate going down herson road approx 37 mph according to the local plod i got off with a caution though

http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/3037/cycling/laws-and-rules-about-cycling/