Legality of of pushing broken bike?
Discussion
If it were under a mile I'd consider just pushing it, though as said I seriously think you underestimate how taxing it will be to push something that heavy whilst keeping it upright for that distance. 3.7 miles is far too far though, and will take much longer than an hour imo.
There's a good chance you'd be spotted with the attendant dangers (no insurance & tax). I wouldn't bank on the favour of a random cop that might stop you when it's am absolute offence.
There's a good chance you'd be spotted with the attendant dangers (no insurance & tax). I wouldn't bank on the favour of a random cop that might stop you when it's am absolute offence.
Timfy said:
I need to move a motorcycle out of what is now my exes garden and to my garage so I can get it sorted for spring.
It currently won't start (something electrical, probably battery but due to being stuck where it is I'm unable to properly look at it) and is SORN with no MOT/TAX.
The distance is 3.7 miles door to door, but does go past a big police/council depot on a main road.
How much trouble would I be likely to get into if I got caught pushing it there? I'm thinking very early morning so there's fewer pedestrians etc about. I don't have a trailer or van and money is a bit tight for renting one, It's basically round the corner but would not want to get into any expensive bother over it....
I pushed an 888 about that distance once, your back will give out from pushing while being twisted It currently won't start (something electrical, probably battery but due to being stuck where it is I'm unable to properly look at it) and is SORN with no MOT/TAX.
The distance is 3.7 miles door to door, but does go past a big police/council depot on a main road.
How much trouble would I be likely to get into if I got caught pushing it there? I'm thinking very early morning so there's fewer pedestrians etc about. I don't have a trailer or van and money is a bit tight for renting one, It's basically round the corner but would not want to get into any expensive bother over it....
Edited by Timfy on Thursday 29th December 06:03
cmaguire said:
Ask them to start it then.
Are we really this petty now?
It would be more risky if he tried pushing a fully loaded wheelbarrow with bricks in it. He could get tired and tip it over. A brick might land on someone's foot, or end up on the road and have a cyclist off.
It doesn't bear thinking about.
You can talk about the world you would like to live in. Most posters are here to help advise on the world we do live in, that cannot be changed through your posts. Are we really this petty now?
It would be more risky if he tried pushing a fully loaded wheelbarrow with bricks in it. He could get tired and tip it over. A brick might land on someone's foot, or end up on the road and have a cyclist off.
It doesn't bear thinking about.
if you want to change policing and the potential penalty, lobby your MP.
As others have said, the biggest real risk is actually to his back. 3.7miles will take 2 hours at a guess and hurt afterwards.
SS2. said:
No need to - a motor vehicle doesn't cease to be a motor vehicle simply because it can't be started.
Your view of how you'd like things to be and how they are in reality seem to be poles apart. Again.
And you think that is a good thing do you?Your view of how you'd like things to be and how they are in reality seem to be poles apart. Again.
That somebody pushing a non-running bike on the pavement to get it back to his house where he can work on it is committing a crime. The exact same thing that might have happened 25 years ago without a second thought. And, the important thing, in both cases entirely harmless.
That's laughable, and no question that if I was so inclined I would push it there. I doubt I would interact with anyone en route and if so I expect it would be along the lines of "That looks like hard work mate, rather you than me".
Not "Have you SORN'ed that pal?"
FFS
Vaud said:
You can talk about the world you would like to live in. Most posters are here to help advise on the world we do live in, that cannot be changed through your posts.
if you want to change policing and the potential penalty, lobby your MP.
As others have said, the biggest real risk is actually to his back. 3.7miles will take 2 hours at a guess and hurt afterwards.
You at least make a genuine point in your last sentence. I would set myself a target of under one hour on the flat. I am confident that is easily achievable for me. If not I'll fail trying.if you want to change policing and the potential penalty, lobby your MP.
As others have said, the biggest real risk is actually to his back. 3.7miles will take 2 hours at a guess and hurt afterwards.
The rest is just sad. I doubt that if he came across a Policeman (low probability even outside the station I expect) that they would even stop him. And if queried that his honest explanation would result in anything other than an "on your way, Sir".
cmaguire said:
Vaud said:
You can talk about the world you would like to live in. Most posters are here to help advise on the world we do live in, that cannot be changed through your posts.
if you want to change policing and the potential penalty, lobby your MP.
As others have said, the biggest real risk is actually to his back. 3.7miles will take 2 hours at a guess and hurt afterwards.
You at least make a genuine point in your last sentence. I would set myself a target of under one hour on the flat. I am confident that is easily achievable for me. If not I'll fail trying.if you want to change policing and the potential penalty, lobby your MP.
As others have said, the biggest real risk is actually to his back. 3.7miles will take 2 hours at a guess and hurt afterwards.
The rest is just sad. I doubt that if he came across a Policeman (low probability even outside the station I expect) that they would even stop him. And if queried that his honest explanation would result in anything other than an "on your way, Sir".
king chance 
Oh, and your back will hurt for two days as no one trains for that sort of lopsided effort.
cmaguire said:
R8Steve said:
Having tried it myself i'd definitely take that bet.
A near 200kg bike pushed at over 3.5mph for an hour?
To be fair we need more details. If it's a GoldWing I've failed already.A near 200kg bike pushed at over 3.5mph for an hour?
If it's a 250 or less the money is in the bank.
I'd certainly give something to charity if you can push that 3.7 miles in under an hour
I'd imagine it would take about that to get it out the guys street
cmaguire said:
And you think that is a good thing do you?
That somebody pushing a non-running bike on the pavement to get it back to his house where he can work on it is committing a crime. The exact same thing that might have happened 25 years ago without a second thought. And, the important thing, in both cases entirely harmless.
That's laughable, and no question that if I was so inclined I would push it there. I doubt I would interact with anyone en route and if so I expect it would be along the lines of "That looks like hard work mate, rather you than me".
Not "Have you SORN'ed that pal?"
FFS
It doesn't matter what I think.That somebody pushing a non-running bike on the pavement to get it back to his house where he can work on it is committing a crime. The exact same thing that might have happened 25 years ago without a second thought. And, the important thing, in both cases entirely harmless.
That's laughable, and no question that if I was so inclined I would push it there. I doubt I would interact with anyone en route and if so I expect it would be along the lines of "That looks like hard work mate, rather you than me".
Not "Have you SORN'ed that pal?"
FFS
If you don't like the way things are (and would prefer them to align with your views), take it up with your MP.
Edited by SS2. on Thursday 29th December 11:56
Yes the bike is the intruder, dry weight is about 186 so 200 is probably a good guess. 
I'd give it a shot at pushing it, but thinking there has to be a better way. Hopefully it'll be getting moved by trailer but in the worst case I'd give it a go. Pushed it just over 1.5 miles home when it let me down once before and that was no sweat. An hour might be ambitious as the same journey was 45 minutes at a fairly relaxed walk.
It's the risk of getting shafted for no tax/mot/insurance that's of most concern. Especially as it'll be pushed straight past the police depot at Almondsbury I'm just unsure of how strict the police would be likely to be about it. Years ago it wouldn't even have been a question because I'd have already done it by now.
I'd give it a shot at pushing it, but thinking there has to be a better way. Hopefully it'll be getting moved by trailer but in the worst case I'd give it a go. Pushed it just over 1.5 miles home when it let me down once before and that was no sweat. An hour might be ambitious as the same journey was 45 minutes at a fairly relaxed walk.
It's the risk of getting shafted for no tax/mot/insurance that's of most concern. Especially as it'll be pushed straight past the police depot at Almondsbury I'm just unsure of how strict the police would be likely to be about it. Years ago it wouldn't even have been a question because I'd have already done it by now.
cmaguire said:
You at least make a genuine point in your last sentence. I would set myself a target of under one hour on the flat. I am confident that is easily achievable for me. If not I'll fail trying.
The rest is just sad. I doubt that if he came across a Policeman (low probability even outside the station I expect) that they would even stop him. And if queried that his honest explanation would result in anything other than an "on your way, Sir".
Thanks for the condescending comment deeming my comment to be worthy.The rest is just sad. I doubt that if he came across a Policeman (low probability even outside the station I expect) that they would even stop him. And if queried that his honest explanation would result in anything other than an "on your way, Sir".
The thread title is "LEGALITY OF OF PUSHING BROKEN BIKE?" - not "could/should there be more discretion shown in cases like this"... to which posters have responded to highlight the law and risks.
To raise the tone, I'll pay £20 to a charity of your choice if you can push a 750cc (dry of fluids if you like) bike 3.7 miles on the flat in less than an hour.
Timfy said:
Yes the bike is the intruder, dry weight is about 186 so 200 is probably a good guess.
I'd give it a shot at pushing it, but thinking there has to be a better way. Hopefully it'll be getting moved by trailer but in the worst case I'd give it a go. Pushed it just over 1.5 miles home when it let me down once before and that was no sweat. An hour might be ambitious as the same journey was 45 minutes at a fairly relaxed walk.
It's the risk of getting shafted for no tax/mot/insurance that's of most concern. Especially as it'll be pushed straight past the police depot at Almondsbury I'm just unsure of how strict the police would be likely to be about it. Years ago it wouldn't even have been a question because I'd have already done it by now.
I would like to think that if in the unlikely event they stop you that it will only be to check you haven't pinched it, which is fair enough.I'd give it a shot at pushing it, but thinking there has to be a better way. Hopefully it'll be getting moved by trailer but in the worst case I'd give it a go. Pushed it just over 1.5 miles home when it let me down once before and that was no sweat. An hour might be ambitious as the same journey was 45 minutes at a fairly relaxed walk.
It's the risk of getting shafted for no tax/mot/insurance that's of most concern. Especially as it'll be pushed straight past the police depot at Almondsbury I'm just unsure of how strict the police would be likely to be about it. Years ago it wouldn't even have been a question because I'd have already done it by now.
We all know that if so inclined (which by rights should require a small-minded w
ker of the Nth degree) they could hassle you for something. But is this likely with your explanation? Not by my reckoning.I'd push it in lieu of a trailer/van option.
Vaud said:
Thanks for the condescending comment deeming my comment to be worthy.
The thread title is "LEGALITY OF OF PUSHING BROKEN BIKE?" - not "could/should there be more discretion shown in cases like this"... to which posters have responded to highlight the law and risks.
To raise the tone, I'll pay £20 to a charity of your choice if you can push a 750cc (dry of fluids if you like) bike 3.7 miles on the flat in less than an hour.
You're too sensitive. There was no condescension.The thread title is "LEGALITY OF OF PUSHING BROKEN BIKE?" - not "could/should there be more discretion shown in cases like this"... to which posters have responded to highlight the law and risks.
To raise the tone, I'll pay £20 to a charity of your choice if you can push a 750cc (dry of fluids if you like) bike 3.7 miles on the flat in less than an hour.
I think we are in a very sad place when someone has to even be concerned about punishment for what Timfy is suggesting doing. How depressing.
I have a 750. I might do a mile practice run out of interest.
Back in 1980 when I was a 17 year old skinny lad I had just got my dream bike a 750 Triumph T160, one November night with sparkling frost on the ground I snapped the con rod in the centre cylinder,I was between Newmarket and Kentford if anyone knows it and I pushed it back to my house which was right opposite the road that leads to the racecourse, I reckon about 3 miles, I did it but was down to bareback by the time I got to my house sweating and this would of been about 1 in the morning by this time.
Here is the bike in question, I think weighed 520 lbs.
Here is the bike in question, I think weighed 520 lbs.
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