Are cyclists exempt from speed limits?
Discussion
funkyrobot said:
WinstonWolf said:
BoRED S2upid said:
You should get a call from British Cycling if you can set a speed camera off on your bicycle either them or UK Anti Doping!
I regularly set one of the speed warning signs off on a slight downhill section on one of my rides. Yes, yes it is a target 
There is one near me on the way into Surfleet. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to head past it on my new road bike yet, only my heavy Raleigh hybrid thing. I've seen it flash around 15mph so far.
WinstonWolf said:
funkyrobot said:
WinstonWolf said:
BoRED S2upid said:
You should get a call from British Cycling if you can set a speed camera off on your bicycle either them or UK Anti Doping!
I regularly set one of the speed warning signs off on a slight downhill section on one of my rides. Yes, yes it is a target There is one near me on the way into Surfleet. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to head past it on my new road bike yet, only my heavy Raleigh hybrid thing. I've seen it flash around 15mph so far.
I may be able to venture that far this summer as I increase my miles. Bought a Cube Attain GTC Pro the other week. Looks better for the mileage than my Raleigh hybrid.
BMWBen said:
HantsRat said:
Short answer is no they do not apply however some areas can impose bylaws for cyclists speed, usually in parks where it's a problem. On the road cyclists do not need to adhere to speed restrictions under the road traffic act however we can book them for 'cycling furiously' and 'wanton and furious cycling'
^ this is correct. 
HantsRat said:
48k said:
TBH I'd be worried if the policeman had got it wrong.
I did have to google that! We don't know everything and I've never booked a cyclist for cycling furiously. Although I now want to as it sounds awesome! 
mac96 said:
HantsRat said:
48k said:
TBH I'd be worried if the policeman had got it wrong.
I did have to google that! We don't know everything and I've never booked a cyclist for cycling furiously. Although I now want to as it sounds awesome! SS2. said:
Aside from within a couple of Royal Parks (ie Richmond), speed limits on roads only apply to motor vehicles.
In fact a fair bit more than a couple. See below.Aretnap said:
Some areas (eg the Royal Parks) may have by-laws which apply more broadly, but they're the exception, not the rule.
They are not bylaws. Roads in Royal Parks are subject to statutory Regulations, viz:.The Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997 Schedule 2 Part II - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/1639/sched...
As amended by Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces (Amendment) Regulations 2004 Section 2(5) - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1308/regul...
Note that the word motor is absent from the Schedule: this means that the limit applies all vehicles including bicycles.
tigger1 said:
30mph is do-able on the flat, 40mph with a slight downhill, and if you're willing to draft a lorry then 50+mph can be done with hardly any effort!
No speed limits for normal pedal cycles on UK roads (outside of the Royal Parks, and even those have been debated recently). E-bikes have a legal limit (that the motor can't help at more than 15mph I think?).
You should be competing at the next Olympics if you find those speeds so easy to achieve. No speed limits for normal pedal cycles on UK roads (outside of the Royal Parks, and even those have been debated recently). E-bikes have a legal limit (that the motor can't help at more than 15mph I think?).
Gavia said:
tigger1 said:
30mph is do-able on the flat, 40mph with a slight downhill, and if you're willing to draft a lorry then 50+mph can be done with hardly any effort!
No speed limits for normal pedal cycles on UK roads (outside of the Royal Parks, and even those have been debated recently). E-bikes have a legal limit (that the motor can't help at more than 15mph I think?).
You should be competing at the next Olympics if you find those speeds so easy to achieve. No speed limits for normal pedal cycles on UK roads (outside of the Royal Parks, and even those have been debated recently). E-bikes have a legal limit (that the motor can't help at more than 15mph I think?).
Back in the day, late 90's ish, after being stopped at 42mph on the A59 coming out of Preston, the copper told me that speed limits applied to all road users, not just the motorised ones. Looking at the above definitions, he may have been mistaken.
To be fair to him, I had just passed a 44t truck and trailer and spotted him behind me, heading down to the motorway police compound.
Besides a solid b
king, nothing came of it.
Similarly, there was a speed camera at the bottom of London Rd in Preston, by the old car auction place that was set at 38mph. I never managed to set it off on my own, but riding close to a mate, we would set it off on as often as possible for a sport. I guess there was not enough mass for the radar to detect a single rider, but it could pick up two.
To be fair to him, I had just passed a 44t truck and trailer and spotted him behind me, heading down to the motorway police compound.
Besides a solid b
king, nothing came of it.Similarly, there was a speed camera at the bottom of London Rd in Preston, by the old car auction place that was set at 38mph. I never managed to set it off on my own, but riding close to a mate, we would set it off on as often as possible for a sport. I guess there was not enough mass for the radar to detect a single rider, but it could pick up two.
xjay1337 said:
Cyclists are exempt from every road law.
There, I said it.
Not really. I was pulled up for getting big air bunnyhopping a dustbin lid mini roundabout in full view of plod. The officer was genuinely angry yet did nothing other than delivering a bThere, I said it.
king.Then again maybe we are. I felt he knew he was up against this making a booking pointless.
SystemParanoia said:
SS2. said:
'wanton & furious cycling'
Wouldn't mind getting done for that one.Badge of honor
One fine later (am a QS, hardly poor, it wouldn't hurt), no points, no insurance hike and I'd be the coolest old uncle a nephew could have and have a pub yarn that would be that bit better than most.
The village up the road from us has recently adopted a 20mph limit more or less throughout and encompasses some decent hills - I reckon that on a good day the opportunity for a 'furious and wanton' charge would be there if I get some overtakes in... I'll have to find out when the Fuzz are planning to be about.
IroningMan said:
The village up the road from us has recently adopted a 20mph limit more or less throughout and encompasses some decent hills - I reckon that on a good day the opportunity for a 'furious and wanton' charge would be there if I get some overtakes in... I'll have to find out when the Fuzz are planning to be about.
What happens when you realise that you've got a criminal record and it messes up your car & home insurance and potentially job?Gavia said:
IroningMan said:
The village up the road from us has recently adopted a 20mph limit more or less throughout and encompasses some decent hills - I reckon that on a good day the opportunity for a 'furious and wanton' charge would be there if I get some overtakes in... I'll have to find out when the Fuzz are planning to be about.
What happens when you realise that you've got a criminal record and it messes up your car & home insurance and potentially job?SystemParanoia said:
Gavia said:
IroningMan said:
The village up the road from us has recently adopted a 20mph limit more or less throughout and encompasses some decent hills - I reckon that on a good day the opportunity for a 'furious and wanton' charge would be there if I get some overtakes in... I'll have to find out when the Fuzz are planning to be about.
What happens when you realise that you've got a criminal record and it messes up your car & home insurance and potentially job?Gavia said:
What happens when you realise that you've got a criminal record and it messes up your car & home insurance and potentially job?
Non indictable, I suspect, like speeding. So you can continue to be a member of the rotary club and WI without fear of exposure. You'd be admired. Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff