OT - unbelievable

Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals, complains
that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm

He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.

In message <[email protected]>
"Dave P" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals, complains
> that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
> discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm
>
> He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
> unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.
>

Nah! Lycra.... There was a programme called "2-D TV" or something
on Channel 4 a while back that had animated London-type cyclists[1]
as alien beings - very much on the mark.

Richard

[1] I say London-type, as, apart from the "I'm really into
cycling, yes it is just a co-incidence I lost my licence"
brigade, cyclists round these parts are usually attired in
a cloth cap, three overcoats and wellies, with short roll-up
welded to their lip. They can often be seen trying to put
their beards out on down hill stretches.

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

: "Dave P" <[email protected]> wrote:
:
: > Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals, complains
: > that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
: > discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.
: >
: > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm
: >
: > He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
: > unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.
: >

<rant>
Its one of the things that narks me the most, working in the city. Lights
go red, and thats the point as a pedestrian that you have to take your life
into your hands - why - cos of some ****er in lycra who **MUST** be
red/green colour blind, and gets stroppy if you're in the middle of the
crossing when they want to go through it.

I hope some magistrate actually looks at this properly and fines the prat
even more

It'll never happen though, it never does, because sensible well enforced
laws and fines are always bolloxed up by some magistrate or other trying to
be trendy or green, or worse green and trendy,

harrumph
</rant>

Si

Dave P wrote:
> Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals, complains
> that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
> discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm
>
> He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
> unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.
>
Just wait until he or one of his ilk gets hit by a car whilst going
through a red light, or worse still, observes a car going through a red
light at 5:55 am "ban all cars! 4x4 owners irresponsible! make
traffic laws non-applicable to bicycles!"

Back to reality, I do think that enforcing red light rules in the wee
small hours is daft. Here on the continent, traffic lights are often
switched to flashing amber after midnight, inviting one to "proceed with
caution". Much more sensible.

Stuart
long time cyclist as well as biker and Land-Rover owner

Dave P wrote:
> Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals, complains
> that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
> discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm
>
> He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
> unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.

At last - someone actually doing something about them cycling through
red lights - should happen far more often. No doubt the driver would
be blamed had he wiped a cyclist out who had ridden through red
lights despite the cyclist being at fault. £30? should have been
£300 as an example to others.

"It was 5.55am, I was surprised when the police stopped me, I was the
only traffic on the road."

So???! Cars stop for traffic lights no matter what time of day.
Whilst we are on my pet subject!..
...I still think we should adopt the continental 'flashing amber' type
light in the middle of the night on quiet junctions. The number of
times I sit at roundabouts or junctions in the early hours with
absolutely nothing else around. They could even turn most traffic
lights off at roundabouts during the night, would save drivers sitting
at idle and electricity - good all round as far as I can see.
Unfortunately 99% of councils are not that sensible.

Matt

> Back to reality, I do think that enforcing red light rules in the wee
> small hours is daft. Here on the continent, traffic lights are often
> switched to flashing amber after midnight, inviting one to "proceed with
> caution". Much more sensible.

Snap! Number of UK drivers who I beep through them gets annoying
tho!

Stuart - you wouldn't be the guy who posted on FrenchEntree about the
LR for sale and the accident, would you?

Matt

"It was 5.55am, I was surprised when the police stopped me, I was the
only traffic on the road."

Right...so the police were on foot? Stunning

--
Neil

Matthew Maddock wrote:
>> Back to reality, I do think that enforcing red light rules in the wee
>> small hours is daft. Here on the continent, traffic lights are often
>> switched to flashing amber after midnight, inviting one to "proceed
>> with caution". Much more sensible.
>
>
> Snap! Number of UK drivers who I beep through them gets annoying
> tho!
>
> Stuart - you wouldn't be the guy who posted on FrenchEntree about the
> LR for sale and the accident, would you?
>
> Matt
Don't think so. What ees zis FrenchEntree?

Stuart

Neil Brownlee wrote:
> "It was 5.55am, I was surprised when the police stopped me, I was the
> only traffic on the road."
>
> Right...so the police were on foot? Stunning
>
Probably - Queen's Road is by the University, lots of student flats, and
the accompanying trouble and petty theft. One of the few places you
might see a Bobby on the beat.

Stuart

>> Stuart - you wouldn't be the guy who posted on FrenchEntree about the
>> LR for sale and the accident, would you?
>>
>> Matt
> Don't think so. What ees zis FrenchEntree?

Just a website with French living info for us Englishies! Must
be a coincidence - there is/was a guy on there called Stuart in
the Charente who was selling a Land Rover!

Matt

Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals, complains
that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.


Wonder if he's thought of the mental mess he would leave any legal driver in
if he were to be mutilated or killed.
Ban him from riding the bloody bike like any other road user

Matthew Maddock wrote:
>>> Stuart - you wouldn't be the guy who posted on FrenchEntree about the
>>> LR for sale and the accident, would you?
>>>
>>> Matt
>>
>> Don't think so. What ees zis FrenchEntree?
>
>
> Just a website with French living info for us Englishies! Must
> be a coincidence - there is/was a guy on there called Stuart in
> the Charente who was selling a Land Rover!
>
> Matt
Ah, no, couldn't be me - I'm not selling!

Stuart

In message <[email protected]>
Matthew Maddock <[email protected]> wrote:

> Dave P wrote:
> > Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals, complains
> > that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
> > discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.
> >
> > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm
> >
> > He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
> > unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.
>
> At last - someone actually doing something about them cycling through
> red lights - should happen far more often. No doubt the driver would
> be blamed had he wiped a cyclist out who had ridden through red
> lights despite the cyclist being at fault. £30? should have been
> £300 as an example to others.
>
> "It was 5.55am, I was surprised when the police stopped me, I was the
> only traffic on the road."
>
> So???! Cars stop for traffic lights no matter what time of day.
> Whilst we are on my pet subject!..
> ..I still think we should adopt the continental 'flashing amber' type
> light in the middle of the night on quiet junctions. The number of
> times I sit at roundabouts or junctions in the early hours with
> absolutely nothing else around. They could even turn most traffic
> lights off at roundabouts during the night, would save drivers sitting
> at idle and electricity - good all round as far as I can see.
> Unfortunately 99% of councils are not that sensible.
>

Oooh no! You can't do that. There would have to be three month risk
analysis, involving at least 2 senior council officials for each
junction. Then 6 month monitored trial. Also, a new post would
have to be created, at a senior level of course, complete with a brand
new office and at least a secretary and a receptionist (permenently
off sick) to manage the switching on and off of the lights. Plus,
before that all installations would have to renewed (update existing
ones? You'll be saying councillors should pay for their own
holidays next!) and an alternative to the flashing yellow found
(coz that's Continental you know, and we don't do things like that).
Also, some nice expensive interesting colour of tarmac will need
to be found so that everyone can tell some works have been done.
Red can't be used since almost the entire road network is now red.

And then they can put it all back as it was because some Health &
Safety bod with a non-job decides its a terrible risk as
Mrs. Merilda Scroggins (aged 103) told Her Enid that she might
get a bit confused.

You think I'm joking? Shropshire council have closed a road in a
popular tourist area for re-surfacing, necessitation a 15 mile detour.
They told Midlands Today they couldn't do it in the winter when it's
quiet "because you can't lay tarmac when it's cold"..............

Richard



> Matt

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
RISC-OS - Where have all the good guys gone?
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 16:01:46 +0100, Matthew Maddock
<[email protected]> wrote:

> Dave P wrote:
>> Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals, complains
>> that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
>> discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.
>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm
>> He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
>> unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.
>
> At last - someone actually doing something about them cycling through
> red lights - should happen far more often. No doubt the driver would
> be blamed had he wiped a cyclist out who had ridden through red
> lights despite the cyclist being at fault. £30? should have been
> £300 as an example to others.

ever had a cycle/cyclist bump into your car/truck/van? twit that pulled
up on my nearside must have been off playing truant when the highway code
was discussed. he thought that turning right from the middle of the road
(between two rows of cars going stright on) was gonna be a good thing
(tm). he was the most miserable, loudest, most aggressive road user I've
ever met. Threatened all sorts of retibrution legal and otherwise,
gesticulating like a madman. I laughed at him and pointed out that the
junction was under video surveilance and I'd be happy to use the evidence
in any court. yes - of course, this was one with the lycra thing.

Road use - it's not difficult, but common sense /is/ a prerequisite.

> "It was 5.55am, I was surprised when the police stopped me, I was the
> only traffic on the road."
>
> So???! Cars stop for traffic lights no matter what time of day.
> Whilst we are on my pet subject!..
> ..I still think we should adopt the continental 'flashing amber' type
> light in the middle of the night on quiet junctions.

Why just the middle of the night? with traffic sensing units it must be
trivial to discern the difference between "low demand" and "stacked up for
miles"

> The number of
> times I sit at roundabouts or junctions in the early hours with
> absolutely nothing else around. They could even turn most traffic
> lights off at roundabouts during the night,

Don't start me off on traffic lights at roundabouts - you'll never get me
to stop. That has to be one of the worlds best arguments against over
engineering.

If the round-a-bout can't-cope/is-failing then redesign it or replace it
with a traditional junction and lights as a last resort.

> would save drivers sitting
> at idle and electricity - good all round as far as I can see.
> Unfortunately 99% of councils are not that sensible.

The parameters of 'sensible' appear to undergo twilight-zone
transformations when encased in a Town Hall^w^w Civic Centre.

One of the issues is that 'doing nothing' is now underated as a
'solution'. Junctions/roads get busy, some more than others at different
times. Sometimes it takes nearly 30 seconds to get out of the drive (only
in the Disco - the 110 is afforded far more respect) - it happens, so
what! It doesn't take a brain surgeon to work out that the route from
DomitoryTown to PlaceOfWork is gonna be busy in the morning. Use another
route? get a different job? travel at a different time? put up with it?
No biggie really.

Here's something: 9 to 5 ers should be heavily taxed on their going to
work journeys (whatever their mode of transport) - 100% rebate for the 1st
5 miles. That ought to clear a few junctions.

--
William Tasso

Land Rover - 110 V8
Discovery - V8

GrnOval wrote:

||| "Dave P" <[email protected]> wrote:
|||
|||| Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals,
|||| complains that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing
|||| to do, as it discourages people from getting out of their cars and
|||| onto a bike.
||||
|||| http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm
||||
|||| He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
|||| unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.
||||
||
|| <rant>
|| Its one of the things that narks me the most, working in the city.
|| Lights go red, and thats the point as a pedestrian that you have to
|| take your life into your hands - why - cos of some ****er in lycra
|| who **MUST** be red/green colour blind, and gets stroppy if you're
|| in the middle of the crossing when they want to go through it.
||
|| I hope some magistrate actually looks at this properly and fines the
|| prat even more
||
|| It'll never happen though, it never does, because sensible well
|| enforced laws and fines are always bolloxed up by some magistrate or
|| other trying to be trendy or green, or worse green and trendy,
||
|| harrumph
|| </rant>
||
|| Si

He received a FPN for £30, appealed, and had to pay the fine and £100 costs
when he lost. Result.

--
Rich
==============================

I don't approve of signatures, so I don't have one.

Hirsty's wrote:

|| Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals,
|| complains
|| that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing to do, as it
|| discourages people from getting out of their cars and onto a bike.
||
||
|| Wonder if he's thought of the mental mess he would leave any legal
|| driver in if he were to be mutilated or killed.
|| Ban him from riding the bloody bike like any other road user

I agree, but the first thing I thought on reading it was WTF is he on about?
If I have his argument right, he is saying that

o it is desirable that people should get out of their cars and onto bikes,
and
o enforcing the Highway Code regarding bikes will put people off using them,
so
o the Police should not enforce the Highway Code if the offender is a
cyclist.

Tosser doesn't even come close.

--
Rich
==============================

I don't approve of signatures, so I don't have one.

"Richard Brookman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
: GrnOval wrote:
:
: ||| "Dave P" <[email protected]> wrote:
: |||
: |||| Cyclist caught going through red light, fined £30. Appeals,
: |||| complains that this is a waste of police time, and the wrong thing
: |||| to do, as it discourages people from getting out of their cars and
: |||| onto a bike.
: ||||
: |||| http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/5179058.stm
: ||||
: |||| He should try driving a car for a bit. Then he's know about
: |||| unreasonable enforcement of the law. I bet he wears a bobble hat.
: ||||
: ||
: || <rant>
: || Its one of the things that narks me the most, working in the city.
: || Lights go red, and thats the point as a pedestrian that you have to
: || take your life into your hands - why - cos of some ****er in lycra
: || who **MUST** be red/green colour blind, and gets stroppy if you're
: || in the middle of the crossing when they want to go through it.
: ||
: || I hope some magistrate actually looks at this properly and fines the
: || prat even more
: ||
: || It'll never happen though, it never does, because sensible well
: || enforced laws and fines are always bolloxed up by some magistrate or
: || other trying to be trendy or green, or worse green and trendy,
: ||
: || harrumph
: || </rant>
: ||
: || Si
:
: He received a FPN for £30, appealed, and had to pay the fine and £100
costs
: when he lost. Result.

hurrah, only complaint would be fines weren't high enough ;-)

Si

> Don't start me off on traffic lights at roundabouts - you'll never get me
> to stop. That has to be one of the worlds best arguments against over
> engineering.
>

Ah I agree, how about the African way.

See a space go for it )

No cost, skill in avoiding accidents increases and the faint hearted kept
off the roads

On 2006-07-14, beamendsltd <[email protected]> wrote:

> cyclists round these parts are usually attired in a cloth cap, three
> overcoats and wellies, with short roll-up welded to their lip. They
> can often be seen trying to put their beards out on down hill
> stretches.

I don't smoke on my bike, but I had to stop smoking my pipe while
driving the pinz as I almost set my hair on fire due to tobacco being
sucked out the top of the pipe due to a strong draught.. Slapping my
head while trying to get that thing round a corner really demonstrated
the perils of smoking.

--
Blast off and strike the evil Bydo empire!

> Oooh no! You can't do that. There would have to be three month risk
> analysis, involving at least 2 senior council officials for each
> junction.

snip..

> Mrs. Merilda Scroggins (aged 103) told Her Enid that she might
> get a bit confused.
>
> You think I'm joking?

Sadly I don't.

Sometimes I think I should consider running for local govt, but then
most of the time I wonder if I could really make any difference, and
even if I could someone would probably tell me I couldn't do what I
wanted in case I offended a black immigrant transsexual lesbian
with one leg. Not that I care much anymore as we're leaving the
country for good in a few weeks! Yippeee!

Matt