Obsession with speed limits
Discussion
On Saturday I was minding my own business taking a cycle ride along the Thames Path between Runnymede and Weybridge (cycling is perfectly legal along this stretch, just in case anybody is wondering!)
Somewhere south of Staines, I came across a couple of notices saying:
“Cyclists please give way to pedestrians” – (OK – that’s fine by me)
But the notices also said:
“Maximum speed 8mph”
A number of questions sprang to mind:-
1. Cycles do not required to be fitted with speedometers. Therefore all a cyclist can do is guess how fast they are going. How will they know when they exceed the magic 8mph?
2. Why 8mph? Why not 7, 9 or any other number that the local council could have picked out of thin air?
3. How do the Council plan to enforce their limit? Can we expect to see speed cameras on the Thames Path?
4. What’s the penalty for speeding on a bike?
Or is this simply another case of “the answer’s a speed limit – now what’s the question?”
Somewhere south of Staines, I came across a couple of notices saying:
“Cyclists please give way to pedestrians” – (OK – that’s fine by me)
But the notices also said:
“Maximum speed 8mph”
A number of questions sprang to mind:-
1. Cycles do not required to be fitted with speedometers. Therefore all a cyclist can do is guess how fast they are going. How will they know when they exceed the magic 8mph?
2. Why 8mph? Why not 7, 9 or any other number that the local council could have picked out of thin air?
3. How do the Council plan to enforce their limit? Can we expect to see speed cameras on the Thames Path?
4. What’s the penalty for speeding on a bike?
Or is this simply another case of “the answer’s a speed limit – now what’s the question?”
There is a speed limit on the promenade from Sandbanks in Poole to Bournemouth that is enforced by council laser teams.
There are numerous accidents in the summer where children and adults are injured by cyclists. There is a ban on cyclists during certain hours in the summer season but the lycra brigade still use it. Pedestrians are becoming more militant and it is not unusual to hear of cyclists being forced of their bikes during the forbidden hours.
There are numerous accidents in the summer where children and adults are injured by cyclists. There is a ban on cyclists during certain hours in the summer season but the lycra brigade still use it. Pedestrians are becoming more militant and it is not unusual to hear of cyclists being forced of their bikes during the forbidden hours.
jasandjules said:
I can't see them being able to enforce a limit where there is no requirement for the bike to have any ability to identify the speed.
They enforce a speed limit in Poole bay on all types of craft including jet skis. Most of them don't have an onboard speed indicator but the local paper regularly carries reports of them being fined. The bike speed limit on The Sandbanks to Bournemouth promenade is regularly enforced and cyclists given FPN.
Neither of the above are "prosecuted" by the Police they are done by the council and harbour commissioners.
giving the way British Society is going and the mis-employed misfits in uniform, i think you should be strung up in yr local town square and subject to random vegetable throwing! Tut ...more than 8 mph is the same as shooting someone...didnt you know....There is a law somewhere that says so......Mr Freeman would get you off though......
rs1952 said:
On Saturday I was minding my own business taking a cycle ride along the Thames Path between Runnymede and Weybridge (cycling is perfectly legal along this stretch, just in case anybody is wondering!)
Somewhere south of Staines, I came across a couple of notices saying:
“Cyclists please give way to pedestrians” – (OK – that’s fine by me)
But the notices also said:
“Maximum speed 8mph”
A number of questions sprang to mind:-
1. Cycles do not required to be fitted with speedometers. Therefore all a cyclist can do is guess how fast they are going. How will they know when they exceed the magic 8mph?
2. Why 8mph? Why not 7, 9 or any other number that the local council could have picked out of thin air?
3. How do the Council plan to enforce their limit? Can we expect to see speed cameras on the Thames Path?
4. What’s the penalty for speeding on a bike?
Or is this simply another case of “the answer’s a speed limit – now what’s the question?”
Somewhere south of Staines, I came across a couple of notices saying:
“Cyclists please give way to pedestrians” – (OK – that’s fine by me)
But the notices also said:
“Maximum speed 8mph”
A number of questions sprang to mind:-
1. Cycles do not required to be fitted with speedometers. Therefore all a cyclist can do is guess how fast they are going. How will they know when they exceed the magic 8mph?
2. Why 8mph? Why not 7, 9 or any other number that the local council could have picked out of thin air?
3. How do the Council plan to enforce their limit? Can we expect to see speed cameras on the Thames Path?
4. What’s the penalty for speeding on a bike?
Or is this simply another case of “the answer’s a speed limit – now what’s the question?”
Is that Chuck Norris ??
I thought he'd retired....God help anyone whom disagrees with his speed readings
Unless of course its that bent Sergeant from Surrey Police whom was secretly monitored by the CID and convicted for Perjury then thrown out...He used the same speed reading for over 150 convictions.....
I thought he'd retired....God help anyone whom disagrees with his speed readings
Unless of course its that bent Sergeant from Surrey Police whom was secretly monitored by the CID and convicted for Perjury then thrown out...He used the same speed reading for over 150 convictions.....
chevy-stu said:
rewc said:
There is a ban on cyclists during certain hours in the summer season but the lycra brigade still use it.
Just a point of clarification - I am not one of the "lycra brigade"
If you see some old geezer wearing jeans, and riding a mountain bike that looks as old as he is, come over and say hello ....
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