Are cyclists exempt from speed limits?

[brrapp]

I really hope this doesn't start an other one of these terrible cyclist/driver arguments which seem to rage on forever so please don't comment if you don't know the answer or only want to express a biased opinion.
I've read comments in three different sub-forums lately which all stated that cyclists are exempt from speed limits


eg. [i]minitici said:
Typical cyclist - thinks they are above the law!
That law doesn`t apply to me as I have no way of determining my speed and have no legal requirement to do so[/i]


My understanding has always been that all vehicles (including cyclists) are subject to speed limits although cyclists are unlikely to be prosecuted as they don't have means of identification (number plates). Can anyone advise? It's becoming more relevant as more and more cities are introducing blanket 20mph limits ironically to help protect cyclists.

Edited by brrapp on Thursday 9th March 08:43

Edited by brrapp on Thursday 9th March 08:44

[SystemParanoia]

I dont know.

there was a speed camera in a 20 limit on the commute i used to do; being down hill, i tried every day to set it off going past at 30+ mph

i never did

[SS2.]

Aside from within a couple of Royal Parks (ie Richmond), speed limits on roads only apply to motor vehicles.

There are other road traffic offences which cyclists may fall foul of, though - dangerous cycling is one, and 'wanton & furious cycling' is another that springs to mind.

[HantsRat]

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'

[SystemParanoia]

SS2. said:

'wanton & furious cycling'

Wouldn't mind getting done for that one.
Badge of honor

[BMWBen]

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. It's many a cyclists dream to get booked for that offence!

[BoRED S2upid]

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!

[WinstonWolf]

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

[heebeegeetee]

Yes. Or, it might be that it's not that they're exempt but that they don't apply.

[TwistingMyMelon]

No unless specific bylaws

Isn't there a charge of "furious cycling" or something

I got pulled over by police for "going to fast" on a bike , they gave me a bit of a bking and they were right to do so

[tigger1]

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!

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?).

[heebeegeetee]

WinstonWolf said:

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

Speed matters.

[gus607]

So they ought to be, smug, arrogant lot.
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/cy...

[Aretnap]

The law on speed limits is found in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Section 81 said:

It shall not be lawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle on a restricted road (ie a road with streetlights) at a speed exceeding 30 miles per hour.

and

Section 84 said:

An order made under this subsection as respects any road may prohibit—
(a)the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding that specified in the order,
(b)the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding that specified in the order during periods specified in the order, or
(c)the driving of motor vehicles on that road at a speed exceeding the speed for the time being indicated by traffic signs in accordance with the order

and

section89 said:

A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road at a speed exceeding a limit imposed by or under any enactment to which this section applies shall be guilty of an offence.

ie there's no provision in general road traffic legislation for speed limits to apply to anything other than a motor vehicle. Some areas (eg the Royal Parks) may have by-laws which apply more broadly, but they're the exception, not the rule.

[Tonsko]

gus607 said:

So they ought to be, smug, arrogant lot.
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/cy...

I'm not a cyclist, and the OP did request this ^ not to happen.

Quick scan of the comments shows a rough majority who thought cyclist in question was being a plum.

[covboy]

What happens when this is in operation I assume normal laws go out the window. (seeing sa they are closing down so many roads) for a day

https://velobirmingham.com/the-route/road-closures...

[MarshPhantom]

Jermy Vine was busted for doing 3 times the speed limit in Hyde Park.

[anonymous-user]

no not subject to speeding laws, good eh :-)

[HantsRat]

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.

[funkyrobot]

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

Where is that?

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.