The constabulory out in force on southwark street

[karlos_the_jackal]

Notices about 4 police officers on the junction with great suffolk street, they had two cyclists with them and pulled over another (idiot) that was riding on the pavement. Can't people see police officers in high viz jackets anymore!!

 

[Tynan]

no crime to ride on the pavement that I know of

hard to imagine what they'd have pulled the other two in daylight either other than RLJ

doubtless the regular traffic chatting on mobiles, not indicating, and driving like morons passed unchallenged

I hard stopped twice in the last two rides, one for someone anticipating the lights change as I sailed through the yellow, he saw me just couldn't be arsed to change his plans and once for a RLJ that would have knocked me down in the middle of the junction if I'd carried on across the junction, I had solid green this time, he was on the phone

four coppers on any of the big junctions would have the cells full wihin the hour, but yeah, harass cyclists in inner London

 

[John the Monkey]

Good to see them cracking down on the real threat on the roads, innit?

 

[biking_fox]

no crime to ride on the pavement that I know of

Yes it is

"64

You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
[Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129]"


Not necessarily best use of a coppers time, but it is a crime.

 

[John the Monkey]

Takes the piss in a week where yet another cyclist has been crushed beneath the wheels of an HGV in that city though.

 

[TWBNK]

Education is a factor - maybe the coppers speaking to cyclists might help in the long run?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Yes it is

"64

You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
[Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129]"


Not necessarily best use of a coppers time, but it is a crime.

Sorry but no. A de jure crime yes, a de facto crime; harder to see.

Home Office have advised ALL forces that if a cyclist believes themselves to be safer riding on the pavement then, provided they do so safely without endangering other pavement occupiers, they are to be left to go about their business.

Note it is a subjective test i.e. the individual cyclist's view on their safety is what counts not that of a policemen or you or I.

 

[stevie_b]

Greg, does that mean that section of that law has been repealed? If not, it would be difficult to argue against a copper who catches you cycling on a pavement and intends to make an example out of you.

 

[hackbike 666]

Yes it is

"64

You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
[Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129]"


Not necessarily best use of a coppers time, but it is a crime.

I thought it was,that's why I refrain,plus im a goody goody.

Thanks for the info.I will refrain from farting when im down there.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Greg, does that mean that section of that law has been repealed? If not, it would be difficult to argue against a copper who catches you cycling on a pavement and intends to make an example out of you.

Not repealed no, but subject to govt. guidance on how it should be applied.

Very easy to argue with him, just give him chapter and verse:

On 1st August 1999, new legislation came into force to allow a fixed penalty notice to be served on anyone who is guilty of cycling on a footway. However the Home Office issued guidance on how the new legislation should be applied, indicating that they should only be used where a cyclist is riding in a manner that may endanger others. At the time 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.



"CSOs and accredited persons will be accountable in the same way as police officers. They will be under the direction and control of the chief officer, supervised on a daily basis by the local community beat officer and will be subject to the same police complaints system. The Government have included provision in the Anti Social Behaviour Bill to enable CSOs and accredited persons to stop those cycling irresponsibly on the pavement in order to issue a fixed penalty notice.

I should stress that the issue is about inconsiderate cycling on the pavements. The new provisions are not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of the traffic, and who show consideration to other road users when doing so. Chief officers recognise that the fixed penalty needs to be used with a considerable degree of discretion and it cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 16. (Letter to Mr H. Peel from John Crozier of The Home Office, reference T5080/4, 23 February 2004)

CSO's in particular seem to learn their law via hearsay and from canteen lawyers rather than from published guidance. Was once chased across a pedestrian area by a (fat unfit) CSO on a Smith and Wesson bike determined to take me to task for pavement cycling. Had to explain that I was cycling on a bridle way. Doh!