Forum Topic

How to deal with errant cyclists?

From today's Guardian:"Two Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a Black man who scuffled with them after they tried to stop him for riding a bicycle in an unlawful manner. Sheriff’s lieutenant Brandon Dean said two deputies from the South Los Angeles station were driving when they saw a man riding his bicycle in violation of vehicle codes, according to the Los Angeles Times. It was not known which codes the man allegedly broke."

Peter Evans ● 2251d11 Comments

But this isn't The Guardian. So why headline an American story, seeking comment?I ask this Peter, not because it isn't yet another crime tale of horrific police “crime” against blacks from over the pond.  It is.  And well worthy of full attention from our national press.But actually bicycles and the law is a big issue right here in W4.  Where we live.  What this forum is mainly about..So (if you don't mind too much) can I respectfully nuance your headline:-  If cycling on the pavement is illegal, why do our police just ignore the offence?Quite a lot of laws are ineffective because the police are disinterested.  And I understand most of those.  And see why police look the other way.But flaunting the cycling on pavement law, as many openly do, has become more like in yer face everyday anarchy.Don't get me wrong.  I'm pro bikes and happy to see restrictions on motor cars.  But whilst I'm not half as anguished as Loraine, I'm certainly right behind her when it comes to pavement offences - as a fellow pro-pedestrian.Good laws are ones the pubic care about.  But  I suggest there's a majority who care about this one.So (if I'm right) why are our police getting this one so very wrong.By all means, allow little ones to cycle slowly on pavements with mum or dad accompanying them. That makes total sense.  But teenagers whizzing about?  Oblivious gits?Just sayin...(with minor apologies Peter  - I'm sure many on here are more focussed on  what's going on over there..

Stuart Kerr ● 2251d

It will be interesting to see if the police are at all interested in errant elecric scooter riders once the trial starts. I actually quite fancy having a go on one, so may trial it. Would certainly stun the dogs when I take them to the park although as one has to be kept on the lead I might end up exceeding the speed limit by about 3 times...Maybe it's only because they are are illegal on public roads and paths currently that they always seem to be riding at top speed on the pavements - illegal anyway so in for a penny, etc perhaps.  But I suspect not.  And it will be verty interesting indeed to see if they ride happily among cyclists in the bi-directional cycle lanes, along with cargo bikes, ambulances, buses stopping etc etc.

Claire Moran ● 2251d

"But teenagers whizzing about?"Pavements are too slow for most of them.  It's older "gits" who are the biggest culprits.I would like to know why the Police never stop anyone riding motorised scooters on pavements, let alone on public roads where they are also illegal.

Derek Hill ● 2251d

The police are in cars, stuck in the traffic jams with the buses and vans. They can only watch the scooters whizz past.

Vivienne Cox ● 2251d

The aggressive cyclists are the most inhuman people I have ever seen. It seems like as soon as the put a stupid cycle helmet on they become untouchable and extremely aggressive. Cyclists need to have licence plates on the bikes as the red light jumpers can be traced, fined and points on their licences; insurance; and wear proper motorbike helmets. They want it their way, then the law needs to be changed how cycling and cyclists operate.

c james ● 2251d

The aggressive cyclists are the most inhuman people I have ever seen. It seems like as soon as the put a stupid cycle helmet on they become untouchable and extremely aggressive. Cyclists need to have licence plates on the bikes as the red light jumpers can be traced, fined and points on their licences; insurance; and wear proper motorbike helmets. They want it their way, then the law needs to be changed how cycling and cyclists operate.

c james ● 2251d

Think repeat posts, including on other threads, are against the codes of practice, c james.

Claire Moran ● 2251d

But when posted at the same time one can be fairly sure that the double listing has been done accidentally (easily done. And the the structure of this forum does not allow you to make amends by even editing, let alone deleting, your won posts.

Philip Coe ● 2250d

" I actually quite fancy having a go on one, so may trial it. "Give it a go. They are brilliant. Eco friendly and perfect for all the cycle lanes.

Steve Taylor ● 2250d

Repeat post happen for various reasons, but one is a lot of people are using the forum at the same time which slows it down.You click the submit button and nothing happens, so you wait awhile and click it again. Normally you get a pop up telling you that the forum is submitting the post and sometimes you don’t.So two post is no great deal, it’s when someone try’s to keep submitting the same post time and time again and end up spamming the forum.

Bernard Allen ● 2250d

It's not just bikes and electric scooters on the pavements that will soon be smashing into us - it's FLYING CARS, which are claimed to be the mass private transport of the near future.Toyota are developing a battery-powered small flying car (named the Zero) which can land and take of vertically like Harrier jump-jets.Imagine leaving your dog tied up to the bike-stands outside Tesco on the High Road while you pop in for a bottle of Chablis and a quarter-pound of Red Leicester, and coming out to find the innocent little bugger squashed under such an infernal machine.

Roger Talbot ● 2250d