Speed limit

Is there an enforceable speed limit on cycle paths?

The reason I ask is that today, with a strong tail wind I was cruising at
over 30mph on the Brighton seafront cycle path and when two of our cycle
equipped police riding two abreast eventually spotted me heading toward them
there was evidence of panic and I suspect some agitation. I know I should
have slowed down but it was amusing.

There were reports of cycle police and local authority officers attempting
to impose a speed limit on the local downs link cycle/walking path. I did
not see this but have seen the 'SLOW' signs along the path.

So, is there? Has anbody been nicked for this?

Brian

Brian Drury wrote:
Is there an enforceable speed limit on cycle paths?

The reason I ask is that today, with a strong tail wind I was cruising at
over 30mph on the Brighton seafront cycle path and when two of our cycle
equipped police riding two abreast eventually spotted me heading toward them
there was evidence of panic and I suspect some agitation. I know I should
have slowed down but it was amusing.

There were reports of cycle police and local authority officers attempting
to impose a speed limit on the local downs link cycle/walking path. I did
not see this but have seen the 'SLOW' signs along the path.

So, is there? Has anbody been nicked for this?


The normal speed limits do not apply to bicycles but I'd need to check the
RTRA 1984 to see if it could be done through a TRO

Tony

Brian Drury wrote:
Is there an enforceable speed limit on cycle paths?

The reason I ask is that today, with a strong tail wind I was cruising at
over 30mph on the Brighton seafront cycle path and when two of our cycle
equipped police riding two abreast eventually spotted me heading toward them
there was evidence of panic and I suspect some agitation. I know I should
have slowed down but it was amusing.

There were reports of cycle police and local authority officers attempting
to impose a speed limit on the local downs link cycle/walking path. I did
not see this but have seen the 'SLOW' signs along the path.

So, is there? Has anbody been nicked for this?

As bikes don't have to have speedometers, any limit would be unenforceable.

On the public road, speed limits only apply to motor vehicles, btw.
There are a lot of urban myths to the contrary, and a lot of coppers who
should know better.

Zog The Undeniable wrote:

As bikes don't have to have speedometers, any limit would be unenforceable.


Not true

On the public road, speed limits only apply to motor vehicles, btw.
There are a lot of urban myths to the contrary, and a lot of coppers who
should know better.

True of roads in general but not universally true. Roads in Royal Parks for
example can have speed limits that apply to bicycles. There has been debate
for example about introducing a 20mph limit including bikes in Richmond Park

Tony

Tony Raven wrote:
Zog The Undeniable wrote:

As bikes don't have to have speedometers, any limit would be unenforceable.



Not true


On the public road, speed limits only apply to motor vehicles, btw.
There are a lot of urban myths to the contrary, and a lot of coppers who
should know better.


True of roads in general but not universally true. Roads in Royal Parks for
example can have speed limits that apply to bicycles. There has been debate
for example about introducing a 20mph limit including bikes in Richmond Park

Tony


I was going to ask about this. The 20mph speed limit in Richmond Park
has bee introduced, and when cars stick to it, it makes it dangerous for
some cyclists as they're now needing to overtake cars on a regular
basis. A copper informed a friend of mine that the speed limit DID
apply to cyclists and they would start to enforce it.

Anybody have and less anecdotal information?

Pete

Ningi wrote:

I was going to ask about this. The 20mph speed limit in Richmond Park
has bee introduced, and when cars stick to it, it makes it dangerous for
some cyclists as they're now needing to overtake cars on a regular
basis. A copper informed a friend of mine that the speed limit DID
apply to cyclists and they would start to enforce it.

Anybody have and less anecdotal information?


The copper is right.

The roads in the Royal Parks are not public highways but Park Roads. The use
of the Park is covered by the Royal Park and Other Open Spaces Regulations
1997. Section 4(28) says written permission is required to:

(28) drive or ride any vehicle on a Park road in excess of the speed specified
in relation to that road in Part II of Schedule 2 to these Regulations;

Schedule 2 says:

Speeds at which vehicles may be driven or ridden on a Park road

1. On the Park roads in Bushy Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park (except for
the Serpentine Road), The Regent's Park, Richmond Park and St. James's and The
Green Parks, at a speed not exceeding 30 m.p.h.

2. On the Serpentine Road in Hyde Park, and on the Park road from
Kingston Gate leading to the Home Park Golf Club in Hampton Court Park, at a
speed not exceeding 15 m.p.h.

3. On any Park road (other than one mentioned in paragraphs 1 or 2 above)
at a speed not exceeding 10 m.p.h.

For Richmond Park the speed limit was reduced from 30mph to 20mph from 10 May
2004 by the Royal Park and Open Spaces (Amendment) Regulations 2004

It is legally enforcable by the Royal Parks Constabulary (who are separate
from the Metropolitan Police and report to the Royal Parks Agency, not the
Home Office)

Tony

The copper is right.

The roads in the Royal Parks are not public highways but Park Roads. The use
of the Park is covered by the Royal Park and Other Open Spaces Regulations
1997. Section 4(28) says written permission is required to:

(28) drive or ride any vehicle on a Park road in excess of the speed
specified
in relation to that road in Part II of Schedule 2 to these Regulations;

Does it state anywhere that a pedal cycle is a *vehicle*???

Just wondering.

Cheers, helen s


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dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers wrote:

Does it state anywhere that a pedal cycle is a *vehicle*???

I couldn't find a UK legal definition of "vehicle", but
dictionary.com says:


1. A device or structure for transporting persons or things; a
conveyance: a space vehicle.
2. A self-propelled conveyance that runs on tires; a motor vehicle.

So that would cover bikes, unless you take the tyres off ;-)


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Remove the -not from email

Brian Drury wrote:
Is there an enforceable speed limit on cycle paths?

The reason I ask is that today, with a strong tail wind I was
cruising at over 30mph on the Brighton seafront cycle path and when
two of our cycle equipped police riding two abreast eventually
spotted me heading toward them there was evidence of panic and I
suspect some agitation. I know I should have slowed down but it was
amusing.

There were reports of cycle police and local authority officers
attempting to impose a speed limit on the local downs link
cycle/walking path. I did not see this but have seen the 'SLOW' signs
along the path.

So, is there? Has anbody been nicked for this?

I know not whether anyone has been nicked for it, but the cycle path at
he

URL: http://tinyurl.com/ywsz8

is liberally sprinkled with 20 mph signs. I remain curious as to how the
Aged William intend to enforce this...

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
================================================== =========
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
================================================== =========

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers wrote:

Does it state anywhere that a pedal cycle is a *vehicle*???


No it doesn't and there could be a line of arguement within the wording of the
Regulations that it does not but elsewhere in law, vehicle include bicycles
unless they are qualified e.g. the use of the words motor vehicles in the
regulations on speed limits on public roads

Tony