Cyclists get pulled for 39mph in a 30 limit.

[Cycleops]

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/...d-to-be-mindful-after-being-stopped-by-police



A couple of cyclists got pulled by Devon and Cornwall police after they clocked them above the 30 limit. Not an offence as such but could potentially have been charged with dangerous cycling.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, a spokesperson for the force wrote: 'Cyclists, please be mindful of your speeds and just how this will affect you in the event of a collision. Their comments were received positively by the group reportedly.
Comments from motorists suggested they should be fined.
Irresponsible or not posing any real danger? What do you think?

 

[MontyVeda]

since we didn't witness the 'incident', how can we possibly comment on it being irresponsible or not?

doing nearly 40 on a straight open road or recklessly overtaking other vehicles on said road? the speed* alone isn't enough to go on.

*which is that of the police car.

 

[Slick]

Looks like a big straight clear road, don't see the issue if I'm honest.

 

[Mazz]

Article says that speed limits don't apply to cyclists. I didn't know that!

 

[classic33]

Can they be fined for speeding?

"Because bikes aren’t fitted with speedometers, cyclists can’t be charged with speeding offences. HOWEVER, if they are considered to be going too fast for the conditions, they could be charges with ‘wanton or furious cycling’ which is a criminal offence under section 35 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861 (as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1948 s1(2))"

 

[Alex321]

since we didn't witness the 'incident', how can we possibly comment on it being irresponsible or not?

doing nearly 40 on a straight open road or recklessly overtaking other vehicles on said road? the speed* alone isn't enough to go on.

*which is that of the police car.

If you follow the link in the OP, there is a twitter video of it, with the cops following the bikes (at 37mph, not 39 - the 39 was shown briefly as the cop car was gaining on the bikes).

Doesn't look particularly irresponsible to me, on that road.

 

[Alex321]

Article says that speed limits don't apply to cyclists. I didn't know that!

It has been mentioned pretty frequently on here.

 

[MontyVeda]

If you follow the link in the OP, there is a twitter video of it, with the cops following the bikes (at 37mph, not 39 - the 39 was shown briefly as the cop car was gaining on the bikes).

Doesn't look particularly irresponsible to me, on that road.

i did click the link but the pop-up annoyed me so i shut it.

 

[newts]

The Mary Tavy descent Strava top 10 for this stretch of road, about half is in a 30mph area.

 

[Cycleops]

I think the Fuzzy Muffs were just covering themselves in case they had some accident or incident along the way they can say they were warned.

 

[Drago]

I'm finding it strangely difficult to care either way.

 

[markemark]

Thank you for watching tonight’s episode called “Cyclists didn’t break the law”. Join us tomorrow for the gripping story of a shop keeper selling biscuits to a man and also not breaking the law.

 

[classic33]

I live in an area where the council fitted undersized(illegal) signs, they were cheaper, meaning the police can't enforce the limit with motor vehicles.

 

[Drago]

Thank you for watching tonight’s episode called “Cyclists didn’t break the law”. Join us tomorrow for the gripping story of a shop keeper selling biscuits to a man and also not breaking the law.

Law abiding person pays for own shopping is a particular favourite of mine.

 

[chris667]

Here's an interesting* question.
If they are using computers/GPS and they know they're speeding, are they still not breaking the law?
I was overtaken by a cyclist once going down the A404 from High Wycombe to Maidenhead - I was driving an absolutely clapped out Transit Luton which had a top speed of 45mph. Impressive skills.

Saying that, and at the risk of sounding unpopular I think 39 in a 30 zone is too fast. If you hit anyone you'll be really badly hurt, as would the person you hit. Maybe even killed. If I killed someone because I was doing something I knew was stupid I am not sure what my life would be like.