UK and Europe · Public discussion

Bikes and the law

Just Zis Guy · 2003-06-06T09:00:25+00:00

http://www.criminal-solicitors.com/bicycles.htm Bicyles ======= It is against the law to ride on footpaths or pavements by the roadside. Magistrates can fine £1000. A £200 fine is set for furious cycling. The Licensing Act 1872 makes it an offence to be drunk in charge of a bicycle (or any other vehicle or carriage) on a highway or in a public place. Magistrates can hand down a 1 month prison sentence and a £200 fine. The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 require that the specifications of the bike are fixed on a secure plate; there should be brakes to comply with section 6 of British Standards (1981) fitted to the front wheel. The bike should only be under power by means of a switch biased to the off position. The height of the saddle should be more than 635mm above ground level. Magistrates can set a fine of £1000 if they are contravened. Electric bikes cannot be ridden by children under the age of 14 (£500 fine at Magistrates). Magistrates can fine £200 if a bicycle rider is carrying a passenger without the bike being properly adapted to do so (ie: a tandem). It is an offence for more than one person to ride a bike if it is not under power or adapted. See the cycling sub section for more on this. Magistrates can set a maximum fine of £2500 for dangerously riding a bicycle. Magistrates can set a maximum fine of £1000 for riding a bicycle without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other people using the road. It is an offence to ride a bicycle whilst unfit through drink or drugs. Magistrates can set a maximum fine of £1000. -- Guy === I wonder if you wouldn't mind piecing out our imperfections with your thoughts; and while you're about it perhaps you could think when we talk of bicycles, that you see them printing their proud wheels i' the receiving earth; thanks awfully. http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/09.shtml#103 http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/09.shtml#104

Started by Just Zis Guy · 6 June 2003 · Last activity 7 June 2003 · 16 posts · 1,561 views

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Original section: UK and Europe
Published: 6 June 2003
Last activity: 7 June 2003
Original author: Just Zis Guy
Posts: 16
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 1,561
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: E-bikes Recumbent cycling

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Original post
Just Zis Guy
Archived post

6 June 2003, 09:00 UTC #1

criminal-solicitors.combicycles.htm
Bicyles
=======
It is against the law to ride on footpaths or pavements by the roadside. Magistrates can fine £1000.
A £200 fine is set for furious cycling.
The Licensing Act 1872 makes it an offence to be drunk in charge of a bicycle (or any other vehicle
or carriage) on a highway or in a public place.
Magistrates can hand down a 1 month prison sentence and a £200 fine.
The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 require that the specifications of the bike
are fixed on a secure plate; there should be brakes to comply with section 6 of British Standards
(1981) fitted to the front wheel.
The bike should only be under power by means of a switch biased to the off position. The height of
the saddle should be more than 635mm above ground level.
Magistrates can set a fine of £1000 if they are contravened.
Electric bikes cannot be ridden by children under the age of 14 (£500 fine at Magistrates).
Magistrates can fine £200 if a bicycle rider is carrying a passenger without the bike being properly
adapted to do so (ie: a tandem).
It is an offence for more than one person to ride a bike if it is not under power or adapted. See
the cycling sub section for more on this.
Magistrates can set a maximum fine of £2500 for dangerously riding a bicycle.
Magistrates can set a maximum fine of £1000 for riding a bicycle without due care and attention, or
without reasonable consideration for other people using the road.
It is an offence to ride a bicycle whilst unfit through drink or drugs.
Magistrates can set a maximum fine of £1000.
--
Guy
===
I wonder if you wouldn't mind piecing out our imperfections with your thoughts; and while you're
about it perhaps you could think when we talk of bicycles, that you see them printing their proud
wheels i' the receiving earth; thanks awfully.
highwaycode.gov.uk09.shtml highwaycode.gov.uk09.shtml

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Alun Roberts
Archived post

6 June 2003, 09:30 UTC #2

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Magistrates fine an [censored] car driver (no Licence) =A3200 for killing = a young boy!
------=_NextPart_000_000D_01C32C13.E766A350 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META
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6.00.2600.0" name=3DGENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>Magistrates fine an [censored] car driver (no Licence) = =A3200 for=20 killing a
young boy!</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
------=_NextPart_000_000D_01C32C13.E766A350--

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Dave Larrington
Archived post

6 June 2003, 10:30 UTC #3

Just zis Guy said:
The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 require that
[...]
Quoted message said:
The height of the saddle should be more than 635mm above ground level.
Interesting. This means that the Sinclair C5 is ILLEGAL, and the BHPC's Father Of The Club Ron Beams
(95), whose usual mount is a recumbent trike with power assist from a Heinzmann hub motor is a
criminal. Lock 'im up! Transport 'im to Captain Cook's Mistake!! (Cont. the "Daily Mail"😉
Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.uk
===========================================================

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Peter Amey
Archived post

6 June 2003, 13:31 UTC #4

Dave Larrington said:
Just zis Guy said:
The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 require that
[...]
Quoted message said:
The height of the saddle should be more than 635mm above ground level.
Interesting. This means that the Sinclair C5 is ILLEGAL, and the BHPC's Father Of The Club Ron
Beams (95), whose usual mount is a recumbent trike with power assist from a Heinzmann hub motor is
a criminal. Lock 'im up! Transport 'im to Captain Cook's Mistake!! (Cont. the "Daily Mail"😉
Presumably you could construct a vigorous defence that a recumbant doesn't have a saddle (or perhaps
mount a saddle on a long pole in place of the flag that some bents have :-)
Peter

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Jim Price
Archived post

6 June 2003, 15:01 UTC #5

Peter Amey said:

Dave Larrington said:
Just zis Guy said:
The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 require that
Quoted message said:
[...]
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
The height of the saddle should be more than 635mm above ground level.
Quoted message said:
Interesting. This means that the Sinclair C5 is ILLEGAL, and the BHPC's Father Of The Club Ron
Beams (95), whose usual mount is a recumbent trike with power assist from a Heinzmann hub motor
is a criminal. Lock 'im up! Transport 'im to Captain Cook's Mistake!! (Cont. the "Daily Mail"😉
Presumably you could construct a vigorous defence that a recumbant doesn't have a saddle (or
perhaps mount a saddle on a long pole in place of the flag that some bents have :-)
Also you'd have modified it for an extra passenger, thus avoiding breaking another law when giving
your mate a lift home from the pub...
Jim Price

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Marc
Archived post

6 June 2003, 16:00 UTC #6

Dave Larrington said:
[...]
Quoted message said:
The height of the saddle should be more than 635mm above ground level.
Interesting. This means that the Sinclair C5 is ILLEGAL,
Good!

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-Lsqnot Respond
Archived post

6 June 2003, 17:02 UTC #7

you know? said:
criminal-solicitors.combicycles.htm

snip
Quoted message said:

Magistrates can fine £200 if a bicycle rider is carrying a passenger without the bike being
properly adapted to do so (ie: a tandem).
It is an offence for more than one person to ride a bike if it is not under power or adapted. See
the cycling sub section for more on this.

snip
- This recent change to the law bothers me. Giving a 'backie' or other improvised lift to a mate
used to be part of childhood cycling; still is in Holland.
- What defines 'properly adapted'? If I buy one of those Dutch bikes from www.cycle-heaven.co.uk
with a strengthened rear rack for just this sort of tomfoolery, am I legal?
- Also, when I pick my children up from school I often cycle there and walk back with them. If the
smallest gets too tired I'll sit her on the rear-rack while I push. Legal?
- There's too many laws these days. Merely by continuing to lead my life in once lawful manner,
parliament is turning me into a criminal.

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Anonymous
Archived post

6 June 2003, 17:02 UTC #8

"[Not Responding]" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Magistrates can fine £200 if a bicycle rider is carrying a passenger

without
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
the bike being properly adapted to do so (ie: a tandem).
It is an offence for more than one person to ride a bike if it is not

under
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
power or adapted. See the cycling sub section for more on this.

snip
- This recent change to the law bothers me. Giving a 'backie' or other improvised lift to a mate
used to be part of childhood cycling; still is in Holland.
Recent? It was the law when I was learning to ride in the 70's...
Quoted message said:
- What defines 'properly adapted'? If I buy one of those Dutch bikes from www.cycle-heaven.co.uk
with a strengthened rear rack for just this sort of tomfoolery, am I legal?
No.
Quoted message said:
- Also, when I pick my children up from school I often cycle there and walk back with them. If the
smallest gets too tired I'll sit her on the rear-rack while I push. Legal?
Debatable, but in practice you're not going to get done for it.
cheers, clive

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Not Me
Archived post

6 June 2003, 18:36 UTC #9

Dave Larrington deftly scribbled:
Quoted message said:
Just zis Guy said:
The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 require that
[...]
Quoted message said:
The height of the saddle should be more than 635mm above ground level.
Interesting. This means that the Sinclair C5 is ILLEGAL
And that's a problem how, exactly ? 🙂
--
Digweed

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Asqui
Archived post

6 June 2003, 22:00 UTC #10

Just zis Guy, you know? wrote: [...]
Quoted message said:
A £200 fine is set for furious cycling.

[...]
What on earth is 'furious cycling'? Seems a bit vague.
asqui

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John B
Archived post

6 June 2003, 22:00 UTC #11

asqui said:
Just zis Guy, you know? wrote: [...]
Quoted message said:
A £200 fine is set for furious cycling.

[...]
What on earth is 'furious cycling'? Seems a bit vague.
Its a bit of a catch all.
Its sometimes used as the charge when a cyclist is 'speeding' (as actual speed limits don't apply to
cyclists).
John B

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Asqui
Archived post

6 June 2003, 22:30 UTC #12

John B said:
asqui said:
Just zis Guy, you know? wrote: [...]
Quoted message said:
A £200 fine is set for furious cycling.

[...]
What on earth is 'furious cycling'? Seems a bit vague.

Its a bit of a catch all.
Its sometimes used as the charge when a cyclist is 'speeding' (as actual speed limits don't apply
to cyclists).
Sounds like a good excuse for a *really* big chainring. "You overtook a car that was doing 50." "But
officer, my cadence was under 100, not at all 'furious'!"
asqui

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John B
Archived post

6 June 2003, 23:30 UTC #13

asqui said:
John B said:
asqui said:
Just zis Guy, you know? wrote: [...]
> A £200 fine is set for furious cycling.
[...]
What on earth is 'furious cycling'? Seems a bit vague.

Its a bit of a catch all.
Its sometimes used as the charge when a cyclist is 'speeding' (as actual speed limits don't
apply to cyclists).
Sounds like a good excuse for a *really* big chainring. "You overtook a car that was doing 50."
"But officer, my cadence was under 100, not at all 'furious'!"
You may or may nor remember the Engers episode - Engers being the top short distance time triallist
in the early 70's, who seemed to court controversy.
He was also well-known for his large chainrings and big windmill gears although words like cadence
were not really in cyclists' vocabulary at the time.
In an event (in Kent ISTR) he overtook a police car and the occifers toomk umbrage and I think he
was reported for "furious riding". I'm not sure what the outcome was, tho' the national body didn't
support him (they were always trying to throw the book at him) - after all he had an earring and
things like that were absolute taboo to the TT fraternity [1]
[1] TT's are still in the dark ages, mainly run by wrinklies for older wrinklies and should be
banned <ducks>
John B

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Richard Goodman
Archived post

7 June 2003, 07:00 UTC #14

"asqui" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Just zis Guy, you know? wrote: [...]
Quoted message said:
A £200 fine is set for furious cycling.

[...]
What on earth is 'furious cycling'? Seems a bit vague.
I did some googling once to try and get more information about it. Apparently the actual term is
"riding furiously" - no doubt originally intended to apply to horse riders! Its an offence under the
1847 Town Police Clauses Act, which, again as far as I could make out because there's actually very
little information about it on the 'net, doesn't apply in London (at least, the powers in it for
Local Authorities to close streets don't, so one might assume none of it does)....
Rich

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John J
Archived post

7 June 2003, 09:30 UTC #15

But the regulations say 'bike' not trike.
<legs_larry wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 require that
[...]
Quoted message said:
The height of the saddle should be more than 635mm above ground level.
Interesting. This means that the Sinclair C5 is ILLEGAL, and the BHPC's Father Of The Club Ron
Beams (95), whose usual mount is a recumbent trike with power assist from a Heinzmann hub motor is
a criminal. Lock 'im up! Transport 'im to Captain Cook's Mistake!! (Cont. the "Daily Mail"😉

Report
Ben
Archived post

7 June 2003, 20:01 UTC #16

asqui said:
Just zis Guy, you know? wrote: [...]
Quoted message said:
A £200 fine is set for furious cycling.

[...]
What on earth is 'furious cycling'? Seems a bit vague.
It's one of those 'catch-all' offences like Driving Without Due Care. Designed so it could be
applied to anything from speeding to knocking down granny.
--
"We take these risks, not to escape from life, but to prevent life escaping from us." ***** replace
'spam' with 'ben' to reply *****

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