Question for BIBs, Offence for Riding scooter/bike on path?

[sjtscott]

Hello,

I have a general question regarding the potential offence that a scooter/motorcycle rider could be reported for riding on a pavement in order to bypass a traffic jam in a narrow single lane road tunnel under thames in London? (East London dwellers may know this tunnel well). The pavement runs both sides of the tunnel and is shared by pedestrians and cyclists alike.

If there is a specific offence:
1. What is it?
2. Is it endorsable by points on the license
3. Handled by a FPN or by a court vist?
4. What the likely fine might be

I'd like to add this is purely for my information and I myself do not ever ride on the pavement in question. It just seem to me to be a particularly bad/wrong thing to do esp as the tunnel has CCTV. It is just that I see many scooter and motorcycle riders doing this everyday.

Thanks

[sjtscott]

Dwight VanDriver said:

sjtscott:= Your specific offence is under Section 34(1)(c) Road Traffic Act 1988 - without lawful authority drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on any road being a footpath. Footpath is defined as a way over which the public have a right of way on foot only. Max penalty £1000 fine. No points. Not sure if FPN as I do not have a comprehensive list but at a guess most probable. Bear in mind that also a footpath can be classed under RTA as a road so other offences of dangerous driving etc could be considered. Likewise under Highways Act likewise offence of driving a carriage on footpath and other ancillary offences. dvd

DVD: does the fact that cyclists are permitted to share the use the footpath (I'm assuming this must be the case as it too dangerous for them to use the actual road as its very narrow) alter its stance in this case based on your description of a footpath?

BTW Lambo, The tunnel in question is the Rotherhithe Tunnel.

[sjtscott]

DVD Thanks for your answers.
That is all no further questions