Told off by plod for...
Discussion
Highway Code rule 169:
drive without reasonable consideration for other road users.
Law RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3 as amended by RTA 1991
And
Highway Code rule 169: Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
drive without reasonable consideration for other road users.
Law RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3 as amended by RTA 1991
And
Highway Code rule 169: Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
Edited by CubanPete on Wednesday 20th May 20:16
Daveyraveygravey said:
I think we need more information from the OP on the exact circumstances before we say plod are giving sensible advice on this topic...
Big wide road cycling 2 abreast not holding anyone up plenty of room to pass us at any time it's harder to pass a single bike on a country lane than both of us on this particular road. She pulls alongside winds down the window "single file please fellas". Which we did for the next 20 seconds. I really should have asked why. 
BoRED S2upid said:
Big wide road cycling 2 abreast not holding anyone up plenty of room to pass us at any time it's harder to pass a single bike on a country lane than both of us on this particular road. She pulls alongside winds down the window "single file please fellas". Which we did for the next 20 seconds. I really should have asked why.
So there was plenty of space for her to pull alongside safely and then talk to you, so in that point where was the need to ride in single file?Many years ago with a pal coasting along 2 abreast on a queue of traffic moving at <5MPH (we frankly could have jogged quicker than the traffic - we were the ones being held up) Jam sandwich (shows how long ago) came from behind and told us to single up over his PA system. We singled, and a further 8 miles on we turned into a country lane and (it was safe to) rode 2 abreast again. A mile on he came up behind us, read us the riot act, took our details and told us it would be our fault if a drunk driver knocked us off!
Dreadful attitude, and we told him British Cycling Federation (became BC) represented us - More abuse was delivered, and we though he was actually going to use physical violence! A nasty example of the bad side of Policing. We reported the incident the next day to BCF - we heard no more. Dreadful abuse of power, and alters ones opinion of Police.
Dreadful attitude, and we told him British Cycling Federation (became BC) represented us - More abuse was delivered, and we though he was actually going to use physical violence! A nasty example of the bad side of Policing. We reported the incident the next day to BCF - we heard no more. Dreadful abuse of power, and alters ones opinion of Police.
Had this tonight on quite a narrow but busy road, pair of cyclists next to eachother so they could talk holding up the traffic, massive queue of traffic but completely oblivious to it or just didn't care (suspect the latter). Some people squeezed past, matter of inches between car and cyclists, understandly the cyclists express their displeasure but still oblivious to why people are frustrated.
Did see a copper heading that way after I had eventually overtaken them, hope he intervened but suspect his cup of tea was more important..
Unfortunately this sort of inconsiderate behaviour just aggravates the animosity between drivers and cyclists.
Did see a copper heading that way after I had eventually overtaken them, hope he intervened but suspect his cup of tea was more important..
Unfortunately this sort of inconsiderate behaviour just aggravates the animosity between drivers and cyclists.
Daveyraveygravey said:
Sounds like Plod was being overly zealous / officious and could have been doing something better...like catching criminals
Doesn't sound like she wasted too much time on this - the OP said:OP said:
She pulls alongside winds down the window "single file please fellas"
Hard to judge tone from an internet quote, but it sounds a swift and fairly pleasantly delivered message. I think we often overlook in this country just how lucky we are to have a friendly plod that interacts on a human level. Plenty of idiots in the public drive a wedge in this relationship - not for one second do I mean cyclists, but I do think it pays for all of us to remember what a tough job plod does these days with all the hatred aimed at them.
(Cyclist and driver here btw)
Much as it galls me to quote the Highway Code on cycling related issues,
Highway Code said:
66: You should
- keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear
- keep both feet on the pedals
- never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
- not ride close behind another vehicle
- not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
- be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
So, if it was a straight wide road and the cyclists weren't holding up traffic, why did the police officer feel the need to say anything? It seems like ignorance on the officer's part - a bit like when the Met recently started stopping cyclists because they were not wearing helmets and high-viz.- keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear
- keep both feet on the pedals
- never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
- not ride close behind another vehicle
- not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
- be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.
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