It's ok to cycle on the pavement if.......

[User33236]

..... you have fear of traffic.

Well at least that's the case, albeit with some provisions, in the email sent out by a PCSO regarding an awareness event that took place last weekend at a local town centre.

"On the 2nd and 3rd of June, Exxxxx's PCSO's will be carrying out a Pedal cycle awareness and security operation in Exxxxx town centre. Officers will be handing out leaflets to pedal cyclist, informing them that it is a offence to cycle on the pavement and reminding them that Police Officers & PCSO's can issue a fixed penalty ticket of £30 to anyone who is riding a pedal cycle along a pavement. The leaflet will also give pedal cycle security advice including: Choosing a lock, where to park, locking your bike the right way and registration.
The introduction of a fixed penalty ticket is not aimed at responsible cyclist who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other users when doing so. Its also not aimed at children and young people who are afraid to cycle on the road and we would always encourage them to give way to a pedestrian when passing on the pavement. The people we consider to be most dangerous are those who cycle through busy town centres weaving in and out of pedestrians and disregarding there safety. If a cyclist approaches a town centre, they should always dismount.
To coincide with this operation we will be holding a crime prevention event at Exxxxx gateway giving crime prevention advice, along with a limited supply of security accessaries.

Kind Regards

PCSO A. Nonomous"

 

[Profpointy]

sounds astonishingly sensible !

No doubt someone will object in a minute, this be the interweb an' all

 

[glenn forger]

Always been the case:

Home Office Minister Paul Boateng issued a letter stating that:

“The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”

Almost identical advice has since been issued by the Home Office with regards the use of fixed penalty notices by ‘Community Support Officers’ and wardens.

In a January 2014 letter to Donnachadh McCarthy of the pressure group Stop Killing Cyclists, roads minister Robert Goodwill said Boeteng’s advice was still valid.

Goodwill said: “Thank you for bringing the issue of cycling on the pavement around dangerous junctions…to my attention. I agree that the police should be using discretion in enforcing this law and would support Paul Boateng’s original guidance.”

 

[AndyRM]

sounds astonishingly sensible !

No doubt someone will object in a minute, this be the interweb an' all

My only objection is how poorly written that email is. I hope the writer tidied it up before hitting 'Send'.

 

[User33236]

sounds astonishingly sensible !

No doubt someone will object in a minute, this be the interweb an' all

Indeed it does. I wasn't aware it was general guidance as pointed out by Glenn and was therefore somewhat surprised that common sense was being applied by our local police and PCSO's.

 

[raleighnut]

Once, whilst cycling through the centre of Leicester (by the clocktower) a PCSO shouted to me to "get off your bike this is a pedestrian zone" I duly stopped and pointed out the cycling route sign that he happened to be standing under. He looked up and then turned to his colleague (a regular PC) who nodded his head, looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. How will the over-zealous PCSO's of this country be able to differentiate between a menace to pedestrians and a "nervous" cyclist as they seem to me to be K**b headed little Hit**rs crazed with the power of their paramilitary garb.
Or am I just paranoid.

 

[User33236]

My only objection is how poorly written that email is. I hope the writer tidied it up before hitting 'Send'.

The text is a straight copy of what was forwarded to me from a colleague who received the email in question.

 

[AndyRM]

The text is a straight copy of what was forwarded to me from a colleague who received the email in question.

Actually, I'm being overly harsh. The sentiment of the awareness event is absolutely spot on, and as long as it's an internal email there's no real problem.

 

[KneesUp]

The text is a straight copy of what was forwarded to me from a colleague who received the email in question.

Ouch.

"...weaving in and out of pedestrians and disregarding there safety."

It does sound sensible, but it's all in the execution.

 

[User33236]

as long as it's an internal email there's no real problem.

It wasn't an internal email but then let's not get too hung up on it

Just good to see they held such an event and are both aware and considerate of nervous riders.

 

[MontyVeda]

Once, whilst cycling through the centre of Leicester (by the clocktower) a PCSO shouted to me to "get off your bike this is a pedestrian zone" I duly stopped and pointed out the cycling route sign that he happened to be standing under. He looked up and then turned to his colleague (a regular PC) who nodded his head, looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. How will the over-zealous PCSO's of this country be able to differentiate between a menace to pedestrians and a "nervous" cyclist as they seem to me to be K**b headed little Hit**rs crazed with the power of their paramilitary garb.
Or am I just paranoid.

PCSOs are in training... what one considers 'over-zealous' is simply them trying to do something they're not yet qualified for. So rather than thinking they're 'k**b head little hitlers', cut them the same slack one should give learner drivers, nervous 'newbie' cyclists and the shy teenager in Tesco with 'in training' on their badge.

 

[AndyRM]

It wasn't an internal email but then let's not get too hung up on it

Just good to see they held such an event and are both aware and considerate of nervous riders.

Well, if they've sent that out publicly I will resume my harsh stance

As you say though, the main thing is the event. Something similar would go down well in Newcastle - we have a large pedestrianised shopping street and a quayside, both featuring a combination of idiots and decent folk on bikes. It would be good for the idiots to get pulled.

 

[Dragonwight]

I just wish they would send their FPN`s to the correct address. I have been getting letters for the scrote across the road for an unpaid fine for cycling on the pavement. Its about £300 now with expenses and they still don't listen when you tell them he lives across the road.argggh

 

[MontyVeda]

I just wish they would send their FPN`s to the correct address. I have been getting letters for the scrote across the road for an unpaid fine for cycling on the pavement. Its about £300 now with expenses and they still don't listen when you tell them he lives across the road.argggh

That old chestnut... just pay up!

 

[raleighnut]

PCSOs are in training... what one considers 'over-zealous' is simply them trying to do something they're not yet qualified for. So rather than thinking they're 'k**b head little hitlers', cut them the same slack one should give learner drivers, nervous 'newbie' cyclists and the shy teenager in Tesco with 'in training' on their badge.

I don,t get told (wrongly) what to do by any of the others you mention and I paraphrase what some regular PCs who happen to drink in my local pub, and whom I chat with, call them. a lot more than I referred to them.