One for the London lot...

[Greenbank]

The usual tactic is to have enforcement staff asking people to stop and then, occasionally, for those that don't (easily radioed through) 400 yards up the road a Police car parked up ready to take on anyone who doesn't stop. It's up to you whether you want to risk trying to evade them. You might be able to outrun some random council officer, but the Police can be a little more persistent.

The Police backup won't be there every time, the idea is that you won't know whether it is there or not, it's your choice whether you want to risk it or not.

 

[zimzum42]

Still reckon I could outrun the fuzz too, especially if they are in a car...

 

[Greenbank]

Still reckon I could outrun the fuzz too, especially if they are in a car...

What about a copper on a bike, or a motorbike? And you'll almost certainly be on film, so you better change your commuting route for the forseeable future otherwise they'll get you eventually. If they wanted to get you they would, you just have to hope that they don't decide they do, anyway, it's your risk to take...

 

[thomas]

Still reckon I could outrun the fuzz too, especially if they are in a car...

What about a copper on a bike, or a motorbike? And you'll almost certainly be on film, so you better change your commuting route for the forseeable future otherwise they'll get you eventually. If they wanted to get you they would, you just have to hope that they don't decide they do, anyway, it's your risk to take...

I'd be willing to say that you could out run a copper on a motorbike/push bike in London. A bicycle can get through way smaller gaps...and all you would have to do is pull a few silly manoeuvres and they will stop chasing you due to H&S.

Not that I would be in a situation to be stopped by council staff, but if someone asked me to pull over I'd ignore them and cycle on. Anyone one could be wanting to pull me over, then mug me for my bike. Bugger that.

 

[Bman]

Exactly. Council officers dont fine motorists because they dont have powers to stop them. They wont be able to stop the determined cyclists if they tried.

That said, something needs to be done. Its a nice idea at least.

<snip>
2) At the foot of the article the correlation of the sharp increase in numbers of cyclists killed being due to them riding on pavements, jumping red lights and wearing Lycra. Noooooo!! This is clearly barking. I don't think any cyclist has been killed whilst riding on the pavement or has killed anyone AFAIK. The last paragraph of the article is more inaccurate sloppy journalism. I suspect or know that nearly every single one of those cyclist's sad deaths has occurred whilst cycling on the roads and being knocked down by trucks, cars or other motor vehicles not by riding on the pavements. The numbers may yet rise if more POBSOs are now on the roads.
<snip>

Regrettably, they have...... I'll see if I can find the article.

Edit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8197430.stm
This wasnt even the case I was thinking about....

 

[al78]

I'd be willing to say that you could out run a copper on a motorbike/push bike in London.

Probably the same line of thinking as those criminals you see in police pursuits on programmes like Police Camera Action.

 

[al78]

I'm all for it with a resounding yes. Also cyclists riding without lights and wearing black/dark clothing after dark should be included witihin the crackdown.

Perfectly legal to wear dark clothing, and for cyclists who are legally lit I seriously doubt that their clothing makes any difference whatsoever to their visibility.

 

[thomas]

Probably the same line of thinking as those criminals you see in police pursuits on programmes like Police Camera Action.

I suppose thankfully, I will never be able to prove my theory .

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Perfectly legal to wear dark clothing, and for cyclists who are legally lit I seriously doubt that their clothing makes any difference whatsoever to their visibility.

Perhaps not so much in a well lit area, but around where i work the roads are unlit rural B roads. Cyclists wearing dark clothing, even with reasonably bright lights, are much harder to see than cyclists wearing a hi vis vest.Sadly, most cyclists round here seem to think that one or the other is OK, or in the case of a few spectacularly stupid ones, neither.

 

[wafflycat]

Perhaps not so much in a well lit area, but around where i work the roads are unlit rural B roads. Cyclists wearing dark clothing, even with reasonably bright lights, are much harder to see than cyclists wearing a hi vis vest.

+1 It's why I'm lit up like a Christmas tree with acres of reflectives & multitudinous lights front & back.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Sensible move. In my experience, a cyclist with a single front light and nothing else can easily be mistaken for a motorcyclist a long way off, a pedestrian with a torch or even one of those bright security lights on the sides of houses. Reflective clothing, pedal reflectors and so on all help to identify a cyclist as, well, a cyclist, as well as helping to locate him or her more precisely.
I know this all sounds daft, but it's surprising how things get hidden on unlit roads on a moonless night.

 

[Andy G]

Bring it on! Personally I think the 1/5 of cyclists is a tad low, I'd go for half of those on the route I'm currently riding from South London. The number of idiots going through red lights has been really peeing me off. Drivers see them, get cross and tar us all with the same brush. There's more of them and a bigger industry and lobbying groups behind them. Yes, bad motorists cause more severe problems ( I was knocked off three weeks ago by one blind driver and had to brake and shout at two idiots tonight) but whilst the RLJs continue we'll continue to be knocked back as a bunch of reckless law breakers. Worse than increased agro in a debate are the drivers who see cyclists breaking the law and take matters into their own hands by driving just that bit closer, carving us up or treating cycle lanes, advanced boxes etc with the same contempt that many of our fellow riders treat the law.

As for those without lights they should be made to sit in the passenger seat of a car and give a running commentary of the upcoming hazards including other unlit idiots. Hopefully the reality of how late they are spotted if at all will change their ways.

Rant over.

Andy

 

[StuartG]

If it was about good cycling I would support it. But this is Westminster City Council in a budget hole ironically because too many motorists have gone 'honest' and Westminster's penalty revenue has gone south. They are already trying to generate income by charging for (motor)bike parking. They hate two wheelers. See Councillor Burbage's characterisation of bikers as bully boys (even if they are girls). Meanwhile the chair of that committe gets a free parking permit for his motor.

Law enforcement should be independent of penalty income. Vote no on this if you live in Westminster.

 

[hackbike 666]

Talking about a (bias) motorists and slightly off topic but I was having my usual messroom banter with the local moton cyclist hater who said all cyclists should take tests.Strangely when I told him I passed my cycling proficiency in 1977 he shut up.

Back to light's,I don't think one light on the front is generally enough but I think the flashers on the front are good.(and back come to that)

 

[Vikeonabike]

be willing to say that you could out run a copper on a motorbike/push bike in London. A bicycle can get through way smaller gaps...and all you would have to do is pull a few silly manoeuvres and they will stop chasing you due to H&S.

Depends which one you have on your tail Thomas...

that I would be in a situation to be stopped by council staff, but if someone asked me to pull over I'd ignore them and cycle on. Anyone one could be wanting to pull me over, then mug me for my bike. Bugger that.

Not sure that "Council Employees" will have the powers required to stop traffic! Which means if they ask you to stop and you don't there isn't much they will be able to do about it! Come to think about it, I don't think they have the power to demand your name and address either. Which is why the police were called too ascertain a persons ID when they refused. They certainly won't have the power to detain you until the police arrive! And unless it's a designated operation the Police won't be hanging around up the road!


However I'm all for it, the police certainly don't have the resources to deal with cycling issues all the time, which is what is required!