Should We Get Cyclists Obeying The Law Before We Double Their Numbers?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29645503
Riding on pavements, through red lights! last thing we need more of these outlaws.

[ChillDoubt]

I concur with that Retro. I'm also very draconian when it comes to cyclists flouting the Highway Code.
Minor transgressions ought to lead to a confiscation of cycle for 1 week and a £10 fine, no lights ought to be a month and a £30 fine. Helmets should be made compulsory, no question.

To digress a little, how is your recovery going? Well I hope.

[ToraToraTora]

great start, and what's the penalty for cycling on the pavement? red lights?

[retrocop]

Very well thank you ChillDoubt. Wound site very sore and a tad weepy but on AB's to combat that. Dressings changed regularly. From my prospective the op was a complete success and a life changer for the better.Meet the consultant next Thursday for the histology. Thanks for asking.

[ChillDoubt]

Pavement a tricky one. If endangering pedestrians, £15 fine. If cycling sensibly/avoiding/alighting as appropriate just a verbal warning. As I've said, that one is difficult because a lot of children use a pavement for safety so they need educating/training.
RLJ?(Red Light Jumping) £25 fine, two week confiscation.

[ChillDoubt]

Some of us like to see justice done where it's needed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiXzRU3413Y

[ChillDoubt]

I'm all for this too. Cyclist takes it in good spirit, holds his hands up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktFbgwTfrbE

[ChillDoubt]

No worries, fingers crossed for next week.

[retrocop]

That first video demonstrates my use of the phrase "mickey taking accident waiting to happen" but gladly shows an appreciative and responsible cyclist also. Glad to see the boys from Bow traffic garage are,it seems,taking a more robust view on cyclists transgressions and "sticking them in the book".Years ago it was regarded as a waste of time as they would never go to court and probably give a false name and address if they were summoned. No P.A.C.E. in those days !!!

[jourdain2]

Glad you are back retrocop, you sound to be doing well, fingers crossed.
I also think that the cycling proficiency course (and test) should be reintroduced, I did mine in the late '50's, after school, along with most of the members of my class. I am very cyclist aware when I drive, but some of them here (France for anyone who doesn't know) really do behave very dangerously and the new law says that I am at fault if I hit one, even if s/he has cycled out of a side-street straight into me. It has made some people very 'couldn't-care-less'.

[joeluke]

tora....'You can tell a proper cyclist by their gear selection and seat height'

What a crock of $h1t

Can you also tell a proper motorist by THEIR gear selection and seat height?

A 'proper' cyclist is a professional who rides for a living

NOT someone who buys a bike costing 1k+ and rides it dressed like he thinks he's in the tour de France

[-Talbot-]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-29839236

The driver failed to stop at the scene of the accident but has since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

[sandyRoe]

"Retest old duffers..." That's a bit much. Make the test for teenagers harder then cyclists, and everybody else using the road, would feel a lot safer.

[1ozzy]

All road users regardless of their vehicle should obey the laws and be punished accordingly if they don't.
Little kids riding their bikes in quiet areas are a different question.