Do cyclists have to stick to speed limits?
Discussion
Pontoneer said:
On the principle that ignorance is no excuse , and nothing prevents you from fitting a speedometer , then the absence of one would be no obstacle to being charged .
The limit is a limit for anyone using the road ; there is nothing to specify that it only applies to certain classes of road user .
Some people seem to think that cyclists are exempt , but I have yet to see LAW which specifically states that .
A cyclist coming down a hill at high speed towards a junction where he might be unable to stop is just as much of a menace as any other type of road user travelling at excessive speed . He may be more of a menace to himself than to anyone else , although a cyclist hitting a pedestrian could still cause serious injury .
Ignorance is no excuse - and it also doesn't stop people posting nonsense. The limit is a limit for anyone using the road ; there is nothing to specify that it only applies to certain classes of road user .
Some people seem to think that cyclists are exempt , but I have yet to see LAW which specifically states that .
A cyclist coming down a hill at high speed towards a junction where he might be unable to stop is just as much of a menace as any other type of road user travelling at excessive speed . He may be more of a menace to himself than to anyone else , although a cyclist hitting a pedestrian could still cause serious injury .
Speed limits (barring local by-laws / certain Royal Parks and such) do NOT apply to bicycles, as they are not motor vehicles.
There is an offence to cover dangerous cycling in it's own right, and high speed can fall into this, but breaking a posted speed limit isn't, off itself, an offence (thankfully).
MoelyCrio said:
90% of cyclists capable of doing 30mph will have a GPS unit and be well aware of their speed.
Almost 100% of adult cyclists are capable of 30mph, downhill.GPS units (Garmin / phone etc) are often tucked safely away, and are often difficult to read, especially at speed.
Johnnytheboy said:
Melman Giraffe said:
Red 4 said:
Not again.
Using the search feature is quicker than asking.
search feature quicker you are joking?Using the search feature is quicker than asking.
Everyone knows it doesn't work
Probably didn't beat the search function though.
I took a screen capture as it is so unusual...
I would say no.
How does an officer issue a FPN if a cyclist doesn't have a license? They can't surrender their license for points etc.
Also, what if the speeding was within range of a speed awareness course? sending a cyclist on one with no license wouldn't be any good.
People need to accept the fact that, at least at present, cyclists will not be done for speeding.
How does an officer issue a FPN if a cyclist doesn't have a license? They can't surrender their license for points etc.
Also, what if the speeding was within range of a speed awareness course? sending a cyclist on one with no license wouldn't be any good.
People need to accept the fact that, at least at present, cyclists will not be done for speeding.
barker22 said:
I would say no.
How does an officer issue a FPN if a cyclist doesn't have a license? They can't surrender their license for points etc.
Also, what if the speeding was within range of a speed awareness course? sending a cyclist on one with no license wouldn't be any good.
People need to accept the fact that, at least at present, cyclists will not be done for speeding.
All discussed umpteen times before on this very forum.How does an officer issue a FPN if a cyclist doesn't have a license? They can't surrender their license for points etc.
Also, what if the speeding was within range of a speed awareness course? sending a cyclist on one with no license wouldn't be any good.
People need to accept the fact that, at least at present, cyclists will not be done for speeding.
The last thread only stopped being added to on 25th September - a mere 9 days ago
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Found this.
Did John O'Groats to Landsend in '97 and was stopped for speeding by a nice officer with a radar gun doing 38 in a 30 zone just outside Jedburgh. He let us off as we were doing the ride for chrity but the received a lettr when I got back home with a caution and the next time 3 points would be added to my driving licence. Does that mean you have to do the theory test as part of your cycling proficiency now??
Did John O'Groats to Landsend in '97 and was stopped for speeding by a nice officer with a radar gun doing 38 in a 30 zone just outside Jedburgh. He let us off as we were doing the ride for chrity but the received a lettr when I got back home with a caution and the next time 3 points would be added to my driving licence. Does that mean you have to do the theory test as part of your cycling proficiency now??
Found this.
Did John O'Groats to Landsend in '97 and was stopped for speeding by a nice officer with a radar gun doing 38 in a 30 zone just outside Jedburgh. He let us off as we were doing the ride for chrity but the received a lettr when I got back home with a caution and the next time 3 points would be added to my driving licence. Does that mean you have to do the theory test as part of your cycling proficiency now??
Did John O'Groats to Landsend in '97 and was stopped for speeding by a nice officer with a radar gun doing 38 in a 30 zone just outside Jedburgh. He let us off as we were doing the ride for chrity but the received a lettr when I got back home with a caution and the next time 3 points would be added to my driving licence. Does that mean you have to do the theory test as part of your cycling proficiency now??
barker22 said:
I would say no.
How does an officer issue a FPN if a cyclist doesn't have a license? They can't surrender their license for points etc.
It's perfectly possible to issue a FPN to a cyclist - officers do it regularly (some would say not regularly enough) for offences like having no lights, or jumping red lights. In the case of red light jumping the offence is non-endorseable when committed on a bicycle, so there's no need for a licence to be surrendered or points to be added. If speed limits did apply to cyclists breaking them would also presumably also be non-endorseable, but they don't as has already been noted.How does an officer issue a FPN if a cyclist doesn't have a license? They can't surrender their license for points etc.
DocSteve said:
What is the point of this thread? The answer to the OP's question is of course no but is anyone seriously advocating new speeding legislation that also governs pedal cyclists??
The government is, although not specifically in relation to excess speed. (I'm not sure exactly what the new offences will be)The Dangerous and Reckless Cycling Bill is currently going through parliament.
Edit; looks like the Bill didn't get past its first reading. But never say never.
Edited by Red 4 on Thursday 4th October 22:55
Red 4 said:
DocSteve said:
What is the point of this thread? The answer to the OP's question is of course no but is anyone seriously advocating new speeding legislation that also governs pedal cyclists??
The government is, although not specifically in relation to excess speed. (I'm not sure exactly what the new offences will be)The Dangerous and Reckless Cycling Bill is currently going through parliament.
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-12/danger...
Red 4 said:
The government is, although not specifically in relation to excess speed. (I'm not sure exactly what the new offences will be)
The Dangerous and Reckless Cycling Bill is currently going through parliament.
Interesting. I'm sure it will be a valuable use of pubic money that will stop the many needless deaths and maimings inflicted by dangerous cyclists each year. The Dangerous and Reckless Cycling Bill is currently going through parliament.
rs1952 said:
Cheers. I heard about the Bill a while ago. Original post edited.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff