FAO London Commuters - Anticipating the Amber

[louiebaby]

Getting it wrong can cost you £30.

According to a friend, there is a bit of a crackdown going on.

[AyBee]

Thank you for the warning, I have a tendency to mash it through amber Although I can't help feeling they'd be better off clamping down on red first...!

[voicey]

The City of London Police are quite hot on this - I often see coppers waiting at lights to catch those who jump a red light. However, I'm yet to see any action taken outside of the city.

[g_stacey]

Noticed a lot more enforcement lately. There were 3 cycle police hiding behind a van 60yards up from a set of lights on Tottenham Court Road the other day pulling people up and fining them. 16 police/pcso's(?) at Catford the other night. Think this was more of a training thing though. I'll admit to going through red lights when I think its safe, but have a good look behind and scan the road ahead for police, as well as looking out for my own saftey. I quess on my commute in its 50/50 running lights. Oh dear what have I said, I'm reday for the flack!

[AyBee]

voicey said:

The City of London Police are quite hot on this - I often see coppers waiting at lights to catch those who jump a red light. However, I'm yet to see any action taken outside of the city.

Out of interest, how many have you seen caught? I once saw 3 get pulled for jumping a red light infront of a police bike But I've also seen people jump reds with police cars about and no action be taken...

[voicey]

AyBee said:

Out of interest, how many have you seen caught? I once saw 3 get pulled for jumping a red light infront of a police bike But I've also seen people jump reds with police cars about and no action be taken...

I see them out in force about once every six weeks. I've never seen a copper (in a car or on foot) do anything about a cyclist jumping a red light unless they are doing a specific operation to catch jumpers. Usually there's a group of them spead out around a junction backed up by coppers on cycles.

[g_stacey]

voicey said:

I see them out in force about once every six weeks. I've never seen a copper (in a car or on foot) do anything about a cyclist jumping a red light unless they are doing a specific operation to catch jumpers. Usually there's a group of them spead out around a junction backed up by coppers on cycles.

In the last 3 weeks I've seen 2 people gtting tickets on Tottenham Court Road and 1 at Catford as I rode by on the pavement! A Motorbike cop did a U turn after a cyclist just yesterday to have a word with him. And heard a lot of shouting behind me as I waited at a set of lights. Turned to see a copper get out of his wagon and go pretty mad at a cyclist, I think because he ignored him.

[BalhamBadger]

When I worked there I'd quite often see police task forces out collaring cyclists using the pedestrianised area on Moorgate/London Wall.

[g_stacey]

Tottenham Court Road last weekish. I'd have out sprinted them!

[AyBee]

g_stacey said:

Tottenham Court Road last weekish. I'd have out sprinted them!

Often wondered what they'd do if you did that, I don't believe it would be much trouble to outrun them on their mtbs

[Mr Will]

AyBee said:

Often wondered what they'd do if you did that, I don't believe it would be much trouble to outrun them on their mtbs

Especially with a flying start - if you are coming through the lights as 20+ mph, they are going to be hard pressed to keep you in sight for long!

Anyone know any tales of people who've tried it?

[louiebaby]

Mr Will said:

Especially with a flying start - if you are coming through the lights as 20+ mph, they are going to be hard pressed to keep you in sight for long!

Anyone know any tales of people who've tried it?

The ones who got my friend were on horseback.

Having seen Arnie chase down a Kawasaki EX500 (GPZ500 in European markets,) on horseback in True Lies...

[fulham911club]

Mr Will said:

AyBee said:

Often wondered what they'd do if you did that, I don't believe it would be much trouble to outrun them on their mtbs

Especially with a flying start - if you are coming through the lights as 20+ mph, they are going to be hard pressed to keep you in sight for long!

Anyone know any tales of people who've tried it?

Not the smartest of things to do. How long does it take them to get on the radio and request other plod to keep a look out for you? Would you try and out-run the police in a car? No? Thought not.

[TonyHetherington]

fulham911club said:

Mr Will said:

AyBee said:

Often wondered what they'd do if you did that, I don't believe it would be much trouble to outrun them on their mtbs

Especially with a flying start - if you are coming through the lights as 20+ mph, they are going to be hard pressed to keep you in sight for long!

Anyone know any tales of people who've tried it?

Not the smartest of things to do. How long does it take them to get on the radio and request other plod to keep a look out for you? Would you try and out-run the police in a car? No? Thought not.

Plus, I guarantee you then ride the same route on the same bike in the same helmet the next day, the day after that and the day after that


I had a chat with our local Safety Camera Partnership team and they told me about a front facing camera that every day for 4 days caught a motorbike at 8am speeding. So, on the 5th day the police were waiting for him.

[AyBee]

TonyHetherington said:

fulham911club said:

Mr Will said:

AyBee said:

Often wondered what they'd do if you did that, I don't believe it would be much trouble to outrun them on their mtbs

Especially with a flying start - if you are coming through the lights as 20+ mph, they are going to be hard pressed to keep you in sight for long!

Anyone know any tales of people who've tried it?

Not the smartest of things to do. How long does it take them to get on the radio and request other plod to keep a look out for you? Would you try and out-run the police in a car? No? Thought not.

Plus, I guarantee you then ride the same route on the same bike in the same helmet the next day, the day after that and the day after that


I had a chat with our local Safety Camera Partnership team and they told me about a front facing camera that every day for 4 days caught a motorbike at 8am speeding. So, on the 5th day the police were waiting for him.

It may not take them long to get onto the radio but they'd have to be very eagle eyed to keep track of a cyclist amongst all the others that do the commute! I'd probably change my route for a week or so afterwards though Surely unless they have you on camera, there's not a lot they can do if they catch you the next day because they'd have trouble proving it was you...?

[fulham911club]

AyBee said:

TonyHetherington said:

fulham911club said:

Mr Will said:

AyBee said:

Often wondered what they'd do if you did that, I don't believe it would be much trouble to outrun them on their mtbs

Especially with a flying start - if you are coming through the lights as 20+ mph, they are going to be hard pressed to keep you in sight for long!

Anyone know any tales of people who've tried it?

Not the smartest of things to do. How long does it take them to get on the radio and request other plod to keep a look out for you? Would you try and out-run the police in a car? No? Thought not.

Plus, I guarantee you then ride the same route on the same bike in the same helmet the next day, the day after that and the day after that


I had a chat with our local Safety Camera Partnership team and they told me about a front facing camera that every day for 4 days caught a motorbike at 8am speeding. So, on the 5th day the police were waiting for him.

It may not take them long to get onto the radio but they'd have to be very eagle eyed to keep track of a cyclist amongst all the others that do the commute! I'd probably change my route for a week or so afterwards though Surely unless they have you on camera, there's not a lot they can do if they catch you the next day because they'd have trouble proving it was you...?

Go on then - give it a go. We'll all wait for the video to appear on Police, Camera, Action (or whatever its called). Failing to stop for a policeman is a serious offence. Not one worth joking about or "giving it a go".

[anonymous-user]

fulham911club said:

AyBee said:

TonyHetherington said:

fulham911club said:

Mr Will said:

AyBee said:

Often wondered what they'd do if you did that, I don't believe it would be much trouble to outrun them on their mtbs

Especially with a flying start - if you are coming through the lights as 20+ mph, they are going to be hard pressed to keep you in sight for long!

Anyone know any tales of people who've tried it?

Not the smartest of things to do. How long does it take them to get on the radio and request other plod to keep a look out for you? Would you try and out-run the police in a car? No? Thought not.

Plus, I guarantee you then ride the same route on the same bike in the same helmet the next day, the day after that and the day after that


I had a chat with our local Safety Camera Partnership team and they told me about a front facing camera that every day for 4 days caught a motorbike at 8am speeding. So, on the 5th day the police were waiting for him.

It may not take them long to get onto the radio but they'd have to be very eagle eyed to keep track of a cyclist amongst all the others that do the commute! I'd probably change my route for a week or so afterwards though Surely unless they have you on camera, there's not a lot they can do if they catch you the next day because they'd have trouble proving it was you...?

Go on then - give it a go. We'll all wait for the video to appear on Police, Camera, Action (or whatever its called). Failing to stop for a policeman is a serious offence. Not one worth joking about or "giving it a go".

can you imagine it....bloke jumps the lights and cycles away from plod. plod leap on the radio for back-up. .... "its a bloke on a bike, hes got skinny jeans, a messenger bag, a cap and his bike is white with flat bars and orange wheels with some flyers tucked in the spokes....." doesnt really narrow it down much in london does it!....

bristol is even better, i swear the whole of the south west constabularies have a dozen bikes that they share. you only ever see them at big public events and even then they look so awkward on them too..

[Long Drax]

Are officers allowed to chase after non-helmet wearing cyclists who
refuse to stop? As I've read previously that the cops aren't allowed
pursuits of motorcyclists who aren't wearing helmets.

In my town I once saw a PCSO try to flag down two lads cycling down
our high street on a single-seater bike. The lad on the back gave the
copper the V-sign as they rode by. The copper just stood there looking
a bit embarrassed as shoppers watched events.

[AyBee]

fulham911club said:

AyBee said:

TonyHetherington said:

fulham911club said:

Mr Will said:

AyBee said:

Often wondered what they'd do if you did that, I don't believe it would be much trouble to outrun them on their mtbs

Especially with a flying start - if you are coming through the lights as 20+ mph, they are going to be hard pressed to keep you in sight for long!

Anyone know any tales of people who've tried it?

Not the smartest of things to do. How long does it take them to get on the radio and request other plod to keep a look out for you? Would you try and out-run the police in a car? No? Thought not.

Plus, I guarantee you then ride the same route on the same bike in the same helmet the next day, the day after that and the day after that


I had a chat with our local Safety Camera Partnership team and they told me about a front facing camera that every day for 4 days caught a motorbike at 8am speeding. So, on the 5th day the police were waiting for him.

It may not take them long to get onto the radio but they'd have to be very eagle eyed to keep track of a cyclist amongst all the others that do the commute! I'd probably change my route for a week or so afterwards though Surely unless they have you on camera, there's not a lot they can do if they catch you the next day because they'd have trouble proving it was you...?

Go on then - give it a go. We'll all wait for the video to appear on Police, Camera, Action (or whatever its called). Failing to stop for a policeman is a serious offence. Not one worth joking about or "giving it a go".

I stop at lights so it's not going to be an issue

[g_stacey]

AyBee said:

I stop at lights so it's not going to be an issue

No, but there are other issues with stopping at lights. I always get a quick look behind before I pull up for lights. Seen cyclist's get rammed from behind by tw••s assuming your'e not going to stop at a light.