Friday, October 12, 2007

Not a surprise really

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself when I read that the Ministry of Justice had masses of detailed information about the number of fixed penalty notices given to drivers for speeding, running red lights, and other traffic offences, but when asked for the data on cyclists receviing penalties the response was,
Information on the number of fixed penalty notices issued to cyclists found cycling (a) on the pavement, (b) in the dark without lights and (c) through red traffic lights is not held by my Department.
That's because it will probably be zero as cyclists rarely get more than a ticking off (and usually not even that) when they constantly run red lights and act in dangerous way towards pedestrians.

Cycling is the fashionable form of transport in London, yet so many of cyclists think the rules of the road don't apply to them, and the fact that the Government doesn't record how many offences are committed says more about the lack of enforcement than anything else.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the met are actually having a bit of a drive on this at the moment. Most days now I see some cyclist being pulled up on the pavement, especially in the City, for running a light or riding on the pavement.

Rightly so too. Rather that than some ludicrously expensive and difficult to regulate hair brained scheme from Ken: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5225346.stm

You'd like that Dizzy, wouldn't you?

Curbishly said...

If they are being pulled up in the City then it's the City Police who are being pro-active not the Met

Curbishly said...

Two points if this activity is taking place in the City, then it's the City Police who are being pro-active not the Met.

Secondly in the early 90s when the IRA were detonating very large bombs in the UK the City Police, as part of P.A.C.E. have to consult with their community. This took place in various locations within the City and the one question that was repeated throughout was nothing to do with terrorism but just what were the Police going to do about cyclists going through red lights, oneway streets and riding on the pavements.

Plus ca change.

Old BE said...

The City police are quite good at reprimanding people. I get fed up with cyclists on the pavement and jumping lights, do they think the law doesn't apply to them because they are being green?

Newmania said...

Of course we could all get back in cars clog up the street run people over and infest the NHS if you would prefer.


Twit Livingstone wants to register bikes god I`m glad I`m leaving this mad house.

20,000 pa dead or seriously injured by cars

1 by bikes


Discussion over.

Old BE said...

So N you think the rules shouldn't apply to cyclists? In which case let's change the law.

Newmania said...

.....Or achieve the same thing by doing nothing .... does everything have to be fiddled with ? It works fine now if everyone would just relax about it
IMHO

Old BE said...

I completely disagree. If something is illegal it should be enforced, if it's acceptable it shouldn't be illegal.

We can't just "let things slide" because who decides what should slide and what laws we should ignore?