34 replies to this topic

[Johnson792]

Hi All,

This one has been bugging me for a while now and I see it all the time whilst on duty.

Pedal cycles not having any lights on or for that fact any brakes! Which to me seems very dangerous both to the cyclist, pedestrians and other road users.

Im just wondering if anybody else has this problem, myself and other officers have been warning the cyclists and advising them to get some lights if they plan on riding at night and some brakes. Unfortunatly, this has been ignored for quite some time now and its very frustrating.

Is there any power to seize the cycle, or anything else which can be done?

Cheers

[Shogy1]

Nope just summons for any offences found.

[oddbod]

Non-endorsable ticket (£30) for no lights at night, cycling on the pavement or x2 on a bike.
I'm sure I was taught that a bicycle should have a front and back brake but I don't recall the actual legislation.

[Shogy1]

Non-endorsable ticket (£30) for no lights at night, cycling on the pavement or x2 on a bike.
I'm sure I was taught that a bicycle should have a front and back brake but I don't recall the actual legislation.

Now I'm not sure on that one about the £30 ticket. On our FPN sheet it refers to lights not illuminated during hours of darkness(or similar wording). Not to no lights fitted. Is that one in the same offence or two separate offences?

[Judge Dread]

If only cyclists had licences

Edited by David, 03 August 2012 - 04:44 PM.

[oddbod]

For clarity -
'PEDAL CYCLE - FAILING TO DISPLAY LIGHTS AT NIGHT'

[Johnson792]

Apologies I should have made that clearer, yes, pedal cycles not having any fitted to it

[Constantinople]

Regarding brakes, take a look at 'Pedal Cycle Construction and Use Regulations 1983'.

[Myky]

The bikes i believe you are refering to are off road trial bikes and bmx bikes for use off road and are illegal to be ridden on public roads under the statatory instrument noted above.

This Statutory Instrument (1983 No. 1176) is part of the Road Traffic Acts, according to which it is illegal to ride a pedal cycle, including an electrically-assisted pedal cycle, on a public road in Great Britain, unless it meets the stated requirements. It can also be an offence to sell a pedal cycle that fails to meet these requirements – unless it's sold for racing off-road or on enclosed tracks

http://www.ctc.org.u...aspx?TabID=4073

http://www.legislati...19831176_en.pdf is a link to a pdf of the statatory instrument.

Note that section 11 states any constable in uniform is empowered to stop a cyclist and test the cycle for compliance with these regulations, and to enter the premises where a cycle is kept if it has been involved in an accident up to 48 hours previously.

Lights are not required to be fitted to the cycle in day light conditons. Although in some cases (poor visibility condtions) require cycles that have lights fitted to have the lights lit.

Edited by Myky, 03 August 2012 - 03:16 PM.

[s2345]

Also regarding brakes, the legislation talks about 'braking systems'. If the bicycle is a fixed wheel (no freewheel on the rear wheel, when you turn the pedals backwards the wheel spins backwards) this is considered a braking system. It is still a requirement for a front brake to be fitted. These bikes are becoming more popular with cycle courier type riders, especially in London.

[Chewie]

If only cyclists had licences

The reason being?

[Shogy1]

For clarity -
'PEDAL CYCLE - FAILING TO DISPLAY LIGHTS AT NIGHT'

But does that cover them not having them fitted or having them fitted and not switched on?
I have checked the legal database and there are two offences one of failing to have them fitted and one failing to have them illuminated.(Both shown as £30 tickets) It's not really clear as to whether this would cover both.

[oddbod]

I'd be happy to say that the above would cover both offences.
If you have checked PNLD the CJS code for the offence I quoted is RL89133.

[bensonby]

related to this: for the offence of having an unauthorised passenger who gets the FPN? The passenger or the cyclist?

[Shogy1]

related to this: for the offence of having an unauthorised passenger who gets the FPN? The passenger or the cyclist?

Passenger as far as I am aware.

[Judge Dread]

The reason being?

So dangerous cyclists or those repeatedly breaking the law could lose their right to cycle on the roads, making it safer for everyone involved.

[Johnson792]

Cheers!

Another thing, these are mostly young people ranging from 16 to 18, I understand that they can still be issued with a £30 non-endorsable, or report for summons should this be the case.

They have received vast amounts of warnings, and its always the same group of people! But still, no effort made to not cycle at night or get any lights attached to the cycle.

[brand b]

It would be fairly poor policing to leap from a warning to confiscation. And when asked about the efforts made to encourage compliance, such as issuing summons etc, you respond by saying 'No, just told them off.' If they are repeating the problem, try issuing a few summons and see what happens. If your colleagues see it is a waste of time to summons, then accept that a warning is of similar value and redirect the efforts elsewhere.

[Myky]

It would be fairly poor policing to leap from a warning to confiscation. And when asked about the efforts made to encourage compliance, such as issuing summons etc, you respond by saying 'No, just told them off.' If they are repeating the problem, try issuing a few summons and see what happens. If your colleagues see it is a waste of time to summons, then accept that a warning is of similar value and redirect the efforts elsewhere.

what power would they use to seize the bike anyway? pretty sure it requires a court order for that to happen.

[Dovahkiin]

I feel safer riding on the path, But if it's a small path I will ride on the road or if I'm in town centre it will be the road.

[Chewie]

Another thing, these are mostly young people ranging from 16 to 18, I understand that they can still be issued with a £30 non-endorsable, or report for summons should this be the case.

They have received vast amounts of warnings, and its always the same group of people! But still, no effort made to not cycle at night or get any lights attached to the cycle.

Dorset Police have a CDRS (Cycle Defect Rectification Scheme) system in place, much like the VDRS for motor vehicles. Basically, if a cyclist is stopped for riding without lights they can either be issued with a ticket or offered the chance of buying lights for their bike. Providing they produce evidence of having bought lights, the CDRS is filed away and no further action is taken. If, however, they do not comply (or fail to produce evidence of having complied), then they're reported for the offence of riding without lights and dealt with accordingly.

[Derf]

I often get a round of applause when I ticket people for riding on the pavement of a very busy high street near my nick!

[Dave SYP]

I often get a round of applause when I ticket people for riding on the pavement of a very busy high street near my nick!

Have another one! It's nice to see some officers care about the safety of pedestrians v inconsiderate and dangerous cyclists.

[Shogy1]

I'd be happy to say that the above would cover both offences.
If you have checked PNLD the CJS code for the offence I quoted is RL89133.

Just to say, I see our CJU have recently changed the FPN card to show two separate offences for No lights fitted and failing to display lights..

[Jorvic]

Have another one! It's nice to see some officers care about the safety of pedestrians v inconsiderate and dangerous cyclists.

I have recently moved to a part of West Sussex and everyone appears to cycle on the pavement!