Police are turning a blind eye to cyclists in Southend’s High Street after admitting they can’t be stopped.Really? How fast do these cyclists go, FFS!? Can't they bring in the Interceptors?
Although the practice is outlawed, senior cops say there are not enough warning signs about the ban to justify a crackdown.So, the police are now deciding what laws they will and won’t enforce?
It seems they are claiming that part of their problem is the confusion caused by Southend’s own bylaws:
Under the Highway Act 1835, cycling in pedestrianised areas is illegal unless it has been deemed a “shared-use” area by a council.And yet, there are signs prohibiting cycling in the High Street area – I pass them every day, on my way to the train station.
Breaking this rule was made punishable by a fine of £30 by the Government in 1988.
Although the High Street is technically a “shared-use” area, a separate set of Southend bylaws include a restriction on cycling.
However, the thoroughfare is confusingly included in Southend Council’s published cycling routes.
Two minutes searching on Googlemaps proves this:
Here's one!
Ooh, here's another!
So this arbitrary decision by Essex Police cuts zero ice with me.
Perhaps a token percentage of their wages bill should be withheld by the council, on the basis that they aren’t fully doing the job they are being paid to do?
I wouldn't try cycling down Southend High St for the simply reason that it is always packed with pedestrians whenever I go there.
ReplyDeleteWhen in a crowd I find you make quicker progress getting off and pushing your bike.
(NB: When I do have to go there I lock my bicycle up at the stands provided at the top of High St by WH Smiths and walk.)
Be fair Julia,we have to pick and choose what laws to enforce.We can't do them all.How many new ones did Labour bring in in their 13 years?
ReplyDeleteLet's turn this story around.Police stand in Southend High Street and ticket every cyclist going through.
In six months time there will be a picture of angry cyclists with crossed arms all stating "haven't the police got anything better to do?I got burgled last week and it took them 4 hours to come round".
I was on patrol not long ago and an angry cab driver ranted at me that private cars were using the taxi-only lane.As he was speaking a car actually did it in front of me so I stopped him and told the driver off.I then went to walk away and the cabbie said "where are you going?".I said "how long shall I stand here?All day?Sorry but I have to go and deal with real crime".He wasn't happy but it's a question of priorities.
I expect howls of derision from MTG etc with examples of when police have dealt with minor crap but I can only speak for myself.
Jaded
I admit to having a massive prejudice against cyclists. To me they are arrogant, egocentric and narcissistic people who believe the rules of the road are for lesser mortals such as pedestrians and motorists. The police not penalizing them for breaking the law only helps feed these most unpleasant characteristics that I discern in them. As for the police I see them as incompetent, corrupt and lazy that by neglect of minor criminal behaviour has allowed major criminal and anti-social behaviour to flourish. The root cause is of course how we have allowed government to operate these many decades. We no longer have a democracy however much we proclaim it because as I understand democracy government does what the people want not as it is now the people do what the government want.
ReplyDeleteBTW Julia, I haven't seen your update on Wayne Bishop being up for assault (surprise, surprise) or that Trafford Housing Association have decided that none of its employees are allowed to express the opinion that gay marriages should not be allowed in churches even though it is said reasonably, access to the page is restricted to a few friends and it was done out of work. Is free speech a concept that the liberal jobsworths actually understand?
ReplyDeleteCycling on the pavements is commonplace hereabouts. All ages of cyclists do it. Just nearby there is a pedestrian (!) footbridge crossing the railway line which bisects part of the village. Up until recently it had, at both ends, very clear "no cycling" signs plus signs saying "cyclists dismount". The number of times I observed cyclists complying with the request was very few, and the language I received when pointing out that they had omitted to comply with the instructions was most times "quite ripe" - and other locals were repaid similarly for their pains. I realised the sheer inanity of trying to have the "no cycling on the footbridge/on the pavements enforced when one day I was obliged to beat a hasty retreat to the very edge of the footbridge and breath in to allow two of our finest; the boys in blue, local cycle patrol to continue unimpeded on their racing bikes across the bridge. I later observed them riding down one of the pavements. In neither instance were they pursuing anyone, they were just "cycling around on patrol". Not long after the no cycling signs on the footbridge disappeared, and as yet several months later have not been replaced.
ReplyDelete"How many new ones did Labour bring in in their 13 years?"
ReplyDeleteFair point. Infact Labour brought in so many that it is almost impossible NOT to break the law these days.
When owning a book on first aid and a London A-Z counts as 'terrorism'.
"I admit to having a massive prejudice against cyclists."
ReplyDeleteWe all do.It's natural, normal and healthy....like hating the French and gingers.
@ SBC
ReplyDeleteAs it happens I live in France a lot of the time and though I find them OK I can understand the urge to hate them. As for gingers I detest ginger nut biscuits but that is about it.
@SBC
ReplyDeleteI should add that French cyclists have much the same characteristics as British ones but they have it in spades.
Be fair Julia,we have to pick and choose what laws to enforce.We can't do them all
ReplyDeleteThat's perfectly true.
However, I think it's inadmissable to have a policy (however informal) to disregard a particular offence and then to go and tell the local rag is a bit gormless.
@ Anti
ReplyDeleteNo one likes the French, not even the French. My Ex was always very clear on the fact that she was PARISIAN not French...
I half expected this thread to be about some cyclist, who in line with legislation brought in under Labour, permitting them to do so .. had ridden the wrong way down a one-way street (ie contrary to the normal flow) .. and had paid for it, big time ..
ReplyDeleteNow, there's a bloody silly law, if ever there was one ..
Your ex has got it the wrong way around, the French almost prefer the English to the Parisiennes such is their admiration of the citizens of the capital, not that ALL are bad, I have some very good friends that originally hail from Paris, but they are the exceptions, according to French lore.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty difficult to get us - there are many laneways, road obstacles can be got round and so on. Good thing I'm law-abiding.
ReplyDelete"I wouldn't try cycling down Southend High St for the simply reason that it is always packed with pedestrians whenever I go there."
ReplyDeleteYup, me too! Yet there's usually someone trying it.
"Let's turn this story around.Police stand in Southend High Street and ticket every cyclist going through."
They shouldn't need to ticket.
And I've actually seen them order cyclists to dismount (PCSOs too) and never seen anyone not comply. So this is an odd edict.
"BTW Julia, I haven't seen your update on Wayne Bishop being up for assault (surprise, surprise) or that Trafford Housing Association have decided that none of its employees are allowed to express the opinion that gay marriages should not be allowed in churches..."
I'll probably have a Wayne Bishop post up when (if) he's convicted.
"In neither instance were they pursuing anyone, they were just "cycling around on patrol". "
That annoys me as much as them parking on double yellows while they get their shopping! :/
It's simple. The police don't bother arresting a driver who deliberately rams a cyclist, so they don't bother dealing with a cyclist running lights or cycling in a pedestrianised area. Quid Pro Quo.
ReplyDeletePlus in an urban environment, there is NOTHING quicker than a bike. Police can't catch so they don't bother.