Are cyclists exempt from speed limits?

[Gavia]

eldar said:

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.

Why? There's evidence of people in court over it, albeit as a result of something more serious like this "crime" leading to GBH, but I can't see there being an FPN option for it. Either way, there's little to be gained by taunting the beast IMO.

[IroningMan]

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?

Let's just hope I realise that before I try it, then...

[IroningMan]

Anyway, I'd only get the 'wonton' but if I was pulled outside The Dragon House - and that's in the next village.

[IroningMan]

swerni said:

Don't forget the tinfoil hat!

I'll have to make a new one - because aero.

[aclivity]

IroningMan said:

I'll have to make a new one - because aero.

Nothing to add to the discussion - but that post is brilliant!

[Aretnap]

Retroman said:

From memory, you need to injure someone for a "wantan" addition to the "Furious cycling" charge.

That's correct. It's from the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Whosoever, having the charge of any carriage or vehicle, shall by wanton or furious driving or racing, or other wilful misconduct, or by wilful neglect, do or cause to be done any bodily harm to any person whatsoever, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the discretion of the court, to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding two years

It's still occasionally used when a cyclist has caused serious injury or worse through very bad cycling. Run of the mill bad cycling would be dealt with by the rather more modern and prosaic charges of dangerous cycling or careless cycling (both of which are punishable by a fine only).

Edited by Aretnap on Friday 10th March 13:03

[ChocolateFrog]

HantsRat said:

To be fair no laws are needed on a road. I have yet to see a cyclist travelling at more than 35mph on a road.

You haven't looked very hard then.

50 mph down hill is easy, I managed a PB over 70 mph in the Alps a couple of years ago. A fit cyclist could maintain 35mph for short periods on the flat.