"Martin Dann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:Twice in the last week I have seen cyclists pulled over by police car or
van, and on a third occasion a policeman appeared to try to deliberately
pull away from the kerb whilst another cyclist was passing him.
Last Wednesday whilst hobbling up Park street, I saw a policeman pull over
three girls on two bikes, and after giving them a long talking too, handed
them a 30ukp FPN for said offence.
They also did not have lights (at about 7pm).
Tonight I saw a policeman pull over to blokes on bikes, this time using
his transit type van. I did not get to find out why this time, but the
POBs left walking their bikes. (Again no lights at 7pm-ish).
Now from what has been written in this group before, I understood that the
police very rarely pulled over cyclists using police cars, due to health
and safety reasons.
btw. none of the cyclists were wearing MFHs.
Plod needs to stop and talk to some cyclists - not in a screaming tyres
Sweeny manner though.
I recently had to drive through Cambridge at night. Many cyclists had no
lights, no light clothing and precious little road sense. Unlike some
non-cyclists I'm on the alert for cyclists and in a steam gives way to sail
manner I don't mind when cyclists filter at lights - traffic in towns moves
so slowly anyway. I do mind when cyclists don't give me some clue that there
are there or when they leap off the pavement in front of me.
I ride some main roads here in Mid Wales and I wear hi-vis if there's a bit
of dim light about. There is a massive difference in the distance that
hi-vis can be seen from; compared with the stealth clothing adopted by some
cyclists. (Let Aldi be your very cheap hi-vis cycling clothing friend).
I appreciate that this sort of observation could fuel a legislative call for
compulsory hi-vis and I generally don't favour compulsion. I prefer to let
common sense prevail. As it does when I'm on my motor bike. For the last
couple of years new motor bikes have had their headlights wired on when the
engine is running. I've run with a light on for many years, bikes with
lights on are just so much more visible.
As for the fine being issued. Better to let them spend the money on nice BIG
bright lights (not those piddling little 0.5cm LED things that are as bright
as a glow worm).
Rant over
John