My (almost) run in with the law

[User269]

That was very close, and unacceptable behaviour. The offender overtook his colleague who was stopped, and who was also blocking his view of anything approaching from the left. Why has he ignored his stopped colleague and just driven out? Because he's taking a gamble, based on his training and experience. I''m not expecting there should be a major enquiry, but I think a complaint is in order, and some reassurance that the offender will be given some feedback and advice regarding his experience and training. Why? Because I don't see why the public should be exposed to such risks or even so much as a fright, by those whose job it is to protect and help us to feel safe.

 

[xpc316e]

IMO it's a leap too far and from memory, I believe it breaches guidelines, which advocate 3 years as a standard driver before moving on to advanced; and for very sound safety reasons.

In this instance the riders are most probably Standard Riders as the Met runs very few Advanced Motorcycle courses. As Standard Riders they are entitled to ride Traffic bikes and answer emergency calls with lights and sirens. There is no practical difference in the Met between what Standard and Advanced Riders are allowed to do. Advanced Riders can ride unmarked bikes on surveillance duties in some departments, but in others Standard Riders do the same. Entry into Traffic does not need Advanced Rider status; I was in Traffic for many years as a Standard Rider and never even got a sniff of an advanced course.

 

[Lurker]

That was very close, and unacceptable behaviour. The offender overtook his colleague who was stopped, and who was also blocking his view of anything approaching from the left. Why has he ignored his stopped colleague and just driven out? Because he's taking a gamble, based on his training and experience. I''m not expecting there should be a major enquiry, but I think a complaint is in order, and some reassurance that the offender will be given some feedback and advice regarding his experience and training. Why? Because I don't see why the public should be exposed to such risks or even so much as a fright, by those whose job it is to protect and help us to feel safe.

Well put. Nobody's asking for a prosecution - simply for the Police to take action to ensure that the individual concerned learns from his mistake and that it doesn't happen again.

 

[G-Zero]

Why? Because I don't see why the public should be exposed to such risks or even so much as a fright, by those whose job it is to protect and help us to feel safe.

I find myself in full agreeance with that comment and although on this occasion, the OP was confident enough to react with a hand wave, we don't know if he backed off pedalling and it may be that a less experienced cyclist may have reacted by diving on the brakes or swerving.

I don't think there's anywhere near enough to warrant a prosecution, but there is a definite learning point for that motorcyclist.

 

[G-Zero]

In this instance the riders are most probably Standard Riders as the Met runs very few Advanced Motorcycle courses. As Standard Riders they are entitled to ride Traffic bikes and answer emergency calls with lights and sirens. There is no practical difference in the Met between what Standard and Advanced Riders are allowed to do. Advanced Riders can ride unmarked bikes on surveillance duties in some departments, but in others Standard Riders do the same. Entry into Traffic does not need Advanced Rider status; I was in Traffic for many years as a Standard Rider and never even got a sniff of an advanced course.

That explains the confusion at my end.... "Traffic" tends to have a different meaning in the NE forces and refers to the (car based) Road Policing Units, with "Bike Sections" remaining separate (advanced) entities.

I take it that the Met haven't yet adopted allowing a potentially inexperienced DSA car driver, to get straight on to a high speed advanced course, which is the impression I took from your earlier comment.

 

[benb]

I disagree with it being uncomfortable in this instance. There was enough room so as not to make it what the cyclist seems too. In a test it may be mentioned, but in this case I dont see a problem with the police bike.

If the OP felt it was uncomfortable, then it was.

 

[col]

If the OP felt it was uncomfortable, then it was.

Your point being? I said what the cyclist seems to make it. But there still wasnt a dangerous situation here, well not by the police bike.

 

[col]

Then you are too accepting of low standards. Anything that would be worthy of comment in a test is equally worthy of comment in real life.

If you feel that, but looking at the vid again it seems the cyclist moves further out in the road to close the gap even more to the police bike. No he made a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[col]

Sorry Col but you are talking bollocks there. Moving out is a perfectly reasonable thing to do, it makes you more visible and shows that you are claiming your bit of road assertively.

Ask yourself a question, would the motorcyclist have done the same had it been a car coming down the road?

Im happy you have your opinion too.

 

[benb]

Your point being? I said what the cyclist seems to make it. But there still wasnt a dangerous situation here, well not by the police bike.

Just because no-one was hurt doesn't mean it was dangerous. A second later and it would have been a much more serious situation. In any case the riding was clearly sub-standard and we should expect more from professional drivers.

 

[col]

Just because no-one was hurt doesn't mean it was dangerous. A second later and it would have been a much more serious situation. In any case the riding was clearly sub-standard and we should expect more from professional drivers.

A second later could apply to most things, and what if ect. Glad you agree though.

 

[BentMikey]

I don't recall any positive opinions by you Col, of any other cyclist, ever. Am I mistaken, or are you just a Bloodbus member here to snipe at cyclists. I'm not even convinced you're actually a cyclist, to be frank.

 

[sheddy]

Riding in a dead straight line makes you invisible - which is why the MC pulled out
Still his fault of course

 

[HovR]

Silly mistake really - You'd expect better from an officer, especially as he is also a motorcyclist. Not the worst pull-out ever, but certainly not a good one!

 

[BSRU]

The motorbike rider made mistakes,
they didn't appear to look right properly, notice the guy who stopped looking right looking at the cyclist,
they are on the wrong side of the road,
they compound their mistake by cutting the turn and bringing themselves closer to the cyclist,
they do not follow the good example of the motorbike rider who stopped,
the motorbike rider that stopped was blocking his view to the left and hence he could not safely proceed.

The lens of the camera will make objects appear to be further away than they really are.