Speed limits for bikes -let's settle it once and for all

[asterix]

..oh, I believe him

 

[Dan B]

Speed limits are in the road traffic regulation act section 81 et seq, which only refers to motor vehicles.
Cyclists do have to obey road signs, but as others have pointed out the number 30 surrounded by a red ring means 'speed limit for motor vehicles 30mph', so it does not apply to cyclists.
The above link is to the actual law, not the highway code or what some bloke in the pub thinks it is or should be.

* Mr Celine is exactly right. There is no contradiction in law, it's simply that the HC is not totally explicit on which bits of law apply to which kinds of road user

* The Royal Parks are an exception, which have their own law

* Presence or absence of a speedometer is a complete red herring. There's no requirement for breath alcohol testers to be fitted to cars either, and there's still an alcohol limit in force.

 

[zimzum42]

* Presence or absence of a speedometer is a complete red herring. There's no requirement for breath alcohol testers to be fitted to cars either, and there's still an alcohol limit in force.

Not really a red herring, since there is a law which requires a car to have a speedo (and by law it cannot under-read, so all over-read...)

 

[Dan B]

There is a law which requires some kinds of car to have a speedo.

Regulation 35 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 Every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a speedometer except :-
​

1. • a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 m.p.h.,
   • a vehicle which, at all times, is unlawful to drive at more than 25 m.p.h.,
   • an agricultural motor vehicle driven at not more than 20 m.p.h.,
   • a motor cycle not exceeding 100cc first used before 1st April 1984,
   • an invalid carriage first used before 1st April 1984,
   • a works truck first used before 1st April 1984,
   • any vehicle first used before 1st October 1937,
   • a vehicle fitted with an approved tachograph which is required or not.

1. 
   
   

​

I have not checked, but would be surprised if any of the above were excluded from speed limit legislations simply because they're not required to have a speedo

 

[Black Sheep]

True though

I think it's firstly that most bikes can't exceed the limits. When they were all >=30mph that was almost true, though 35 years ago I could, and now I view 20 signs as a challenge!

I was quite proud of reaching 32mph on the flat the other day! I assume my speedo is correct as i took the measurement from the instructions and checked the distance of my first ride matched up with google map's directions thingy

 

[newbiebiker]

now that was really fast Black Sheep . you've to be careful though coz with that performance, i believe you've plans of breaking it .

 

[HJ]

OK once and for all, for the record, with respects to speed limits the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27) specifically states

the driving of motor vehicles

And just out of interest, the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) list the following

Cycling offences and cycle racing​

28 Reckless cycling

A person who rides a cycle on a road recklessly is guilty of an offence.

In this section “road” includes a bridleway.

29 Careless, and inconsiderate, cycling

If a person rides a cycle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, he is guilty of an offence.

In this section “road” includes a bridleway.

30 Cycling when under influence of drink or drugs

(1) A person who, when riding a cycle on a road or other public place, is unfit to ride through drink or drugs (that is to say, is under the influence of drink or a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the cycle) is guilty of an offence.

(2) In Scotland a constable may arrest without warrant a person committing an offence under this section.

(3) In this section “road” includes a bridleway.

31 Regulation of cycle racing on public ways

(1) A person who promotes or takes part in a race or trial of speed on a public way between cycles is guilty of an offence, unless the race or trial—

(a) is authorised, and

( is conducted in accordance with any conditions imposed,

by or under regulations under this section.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations authorise, or provide for authorising, for the purposes of subsection (1) above, the holding on a public way other than a bridleway—

(a) of races or trials of speed of any class or description, or

( of a particular race or trial of speed,

in such cases as may be prescribed and subject to such conditions as may be imposed by or under the regulations.

(3) Regulations under this section may—

(a) prescribe the procedure to be followed, and the particulars to be given, in connection with applications for authorisation under the regulations, and

( make different provision for different classes or descriptions of race or trial.

(4) Without prejudice to any other powers exercisable in that behalf, the chief officer of police may give directions with respect to the movement of, or the route to be followed by, vehicular traffic during any period, being directions which it is necessary or expedient to give in relation to that period to prevent or mitigate—

(a) congestion or obstruction of traffic, or

( danger to or from traffic,

in consequence of the holding of a race or trial of speed authorised by or under regulations under this section.

(5) Directions under subsection (4) above may include a direction that any road or part of a road specified in the direction shall be closed during the period to vehicles or to vehicles of a class so specified.

(6) In this section “public way” means, in England and Wales, a public highway and, in Scotland, a public road and includes a bridleway but not a footpath.

32 Electrically assisted pedal cycles

(1) An electrically assisted pedal cycle of a class specified in regulations made for the purposes of section 189 of this Act and section 140 of the [1984 c. 27.] Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 shall not be driven on a road by a person under the age of fourteen.

(2) A person who—

(a) drives such a pedal cycle, or

( knowing or suspecting that another person is under the age of fourteen, causes or permits him to drive such a pedal cycle,

in contravention of subsection (1) above is guilty of an offence.

 

[User482]

It is sometimes-

69
You MUST obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals.


[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD reg 10(1)]

The speed limit traffic signs say that motorised vehicles must not exceed a specified speed. Given that a bicycle doesn't have a motor, you're not disobeying the sign!