Policewoman 'flouted bike rules'

[hackbike 666]

I wish they would enforce the use of lights in Birmingham - mainly for cyclists but also for drivers. Had a chap on an MTB yesterday at 7pm dressed in black and riding towards me on my side of the road - only saw him when illuminated by the lights of an oncoming car!

You were lucky my one cycled off of the pavement with no lights right in front of me and I saw him very late so it was an instinctive swerve even had a car right behind me,total nightmare.I think he had a death wish.

I should have had a go at him more for that one.

 

[historyman]

was it dark? the article doesn't actually say.

 

[Mr Pig]

They do what they like. I see cops on bikes ride on the pavement often and I've seen them drive the wrong way up the one-way street I used to live on three times! One of those times I nearly hit the police van coming out of the top of the road. Often wonder what would've happened if I 'had' hit it!

I was telling that story to a guy a work and he said he had a friend who was riding his motorbike along a straight road when a cop car pulled out in front of him, full 'over the bonnet' job! Cops did 'him' for careless driving!

 

[col]

A long time ago i had a motorbike,i was traveling down brinkburn road with a passenger and a car backed out of a side street causing me to brake hard and swerve,i stopped and shouted watch where your going,and a guy in a suit said shut it and go,i wasnt in the best of moods and got off my bike and walked towards him saying so its my fault is it? he replied get going we are plain clothed police,i said does that mean you can drive illegally and nearly cause accidents then?By the time i reached them they were in the car and going,there were other words exchanged but it was in temper,so yes they do seem to think they can do what they want sometimes.

 

[philr]

i often cycle with no lights when on night shift,

but if people see me, i am not doing my job correctly.

the idea is to catch those naughty burglars and general bad people before they even know what is going on.

most naughty peeps use the alleyways around the area, which is where i try to stay.

mind you if i am doing this, there is no way i would be seen handing out fines to other cyclists, or do the above if we ever have a operation against cyclists, that would just be plain suicide.

 

[wafflycat]

That's ok then... not.

 

[Maz]

was it dark? the article doesn't actually say.

Irrelevant. My bro-in-law was nicked in broad daylight for having lights fitted to his bike which, when switched on, were dim cos the batteries were low.
Another PC gawn maaad.

 

[col]

i often cycle with no lights when on night shift,

but if people see me, i am not doing my job correctly.

the idea is to catch those naughty burglars and general bad people before they even know what is going on.

most naughty peeps use the alleyways around the area, which is where i try to stay.

mind you if i am doing this, there is no way i would be seen handing out fines to other cyclists, or do the above if we ever have a operation against cyclists, that would just be plain suicide.

Dont forget,some cyclists think the police cant do something because they are not allowed to themselves,doesnt matter what your reason,such is the riteous way of things

 

[col]

That's ok then... not.

Why is it not ok for a police man to do his job?

 

[Vikeonabike]

I take it you can brake with one hand then?

Ok so I'm chasing the bloke who just nicked your bike. I need to update control as to where we are going. Do I 1. Cycle one handed,
or 2. Stop. Make my call, assuming I can get on the radio and lose said thief completley?
Choice is yours!

I also do the same as philr. However I will give out tickets. I don't ride on the road without lights. I also ride on the pavements, if required I will hand out tickets for that too if the cyclist is clearly endangering other users on the path.

 

[philr]

Ok so I'm chasing the bloke who just nicked your bike. I need to update control as to where we are going. Do I 1. Cycle one handed,
or 2. Stop. Make my call, assuming I can get on the radio and lose said thief completley?
Choice is yours!

I also do the same as philr. However I will give out tickets. I don't ride on the road without lights. I also ride on the pavements, if required I will hand out tickets for that too if the cyclist is clearly endangering other users on the path.

exactly, just ask recent victims of crime what they would prefer, catch the buggers with a load of swag in there rucksacks, or bow to public pressure and drive around in very loud diesel astras during the night that can be heard approaching from over a mile away in the still of the night.

most councils and action groups are responsible for cycle operations anyway the police are just the ones who have to do the dirty deed, thats why no one likes a copper

 

[downfader]

Ok so I'm chasing the bloke who just nicked your bike. I need to update control as to where we are going. Do I 1. Cycle one handed,
or 2. Stop. Make my call, assuming I can get on the radio and lose said thief completley?
Choice is yours!

I also do the same as philr. However I will give out tickets. I don't ride on the road without lights. I also ride on the pavements, if required I will hand out tickets for that too if the cyclist is clearly endangering other users on the path.

I think you're getting narky for no real reason. My point still stands - you cant be in full control of a cycle with one hand. You know how the press is in the UK, if they get hold of this sort of thing on a slow week... well.

I notice that police in motors have either a partner in the car, or their feet do the braking.

The police can still be done for dangerous driving (as has been seen this year already in court), and so by logic they could be done for dangerous cycling in this sort of persuit.

I thoroughly appreciate the stresses and the difficulties the police go through but saying "your choice" is a little off.

 

[BentMikey]

I dunno. I believe there is an exemption for police wearing seatbelts in cars, and using the radio whilst driving. Why should this be any different?

 

[col]

It sounds a fair answer to a question to me,lose time and be all pc or get the scum by getting on with the job.If braking with one hand is the issue i dont understand your pedance,cant you brake with one hand?And have you never took a hand of the bars?
Doesnt come across as narky,what makes you say that?

 

[philr]

a little perspective,

how many peeps do you see driving whilst eating a chocolate bar, or drinking from a can of soft drink.

how many of those get summonsed for careless / dangerous driving.

only the ones that do something that amounts to careless or dangerous driving.

ie the action causes the vehicle to straddle the white lines on a road, or cause another road user to have to take avoiding action.

so bikes are treated the same, eat a chocolate bar does not = careless or dangerous cycling unless something else happens, ie the user mounting the kerb and hitting a ped or something.

by the way where were we going with this thread, i have lost focus, damn night shifts