Cops: We can’t stop town centre cyclists (From Southend Standard)

There are actually some signs, but I am not aware how many there must be before the Police decide there are enough. Whatever happened to "ignorance of the law is no excuse"?
To be honest there are exactly same number of signs prohibiting motor vehicles from using the area, are we now being told that the Police won't stop them either?

If the police can choose which laws they will enforce then I can choose which laws I will obey.

I assume the requirement for a bicycle to be fitted with an audible warning instrument still exists. How many of the cyclists on the lack of signing pedestrian area have one? Not many I'd wager but life is too short.

stropmag wrote:
I assume the requirement for a bicycle to be fitted with an audible warning instrument still exists. How many of the cyclists on the lack of signing pedestrian area have one? Not many I'd wager but life is too short.

This has been raised before. It is a requirement for new bicycles to have a bel or similar fitted, but there is no requirement to keep it fitted or for bicycles to have them when in use.

Maybe Essex Constabulary could give us details of what laws they will enforce

So the police are admitting they do not enforce the law - nothing new here then.

GentleGiant wrote:
So the police are admitting they do not enforce the law - nothing new here then.

That is how it appears, but I think the headline is wrong, it should read "Cops: We won’t stop town centre cyclists" not "Cops: We can’t stop town centre cyclists"

Perhaps the council should withold a symbolic percentage of their payment to Essex Police's coffers, as a punishment for them admitting they don't plan on doing the job they are paid to do?

It might concentrate minds!

Bosniavet wrote:

GentleGiant wrote:
So the police are admitting they do not enforce the law - nothing new here then.

That is how it appears, but I think the headline is wrong, it should read "Cops: We won’t stop town centre cyclists" not "Cops: We can’t stop town centre cyclists"

Actually the headline IS correct. The high Street is indeed "shared space" and under the highways act this can be used by cyclists. However, a local bylaw bans cycling in this shared space. Because it is a bylaw signs MUST be errected to notify cyclists that the normal shared space useage does not apply to them. If these signs are not present the bylaw cannot be enforced. So, in this instance, it is the council who have failed, not the police. Once the council errect the signs the fines can be imposed.

off topic but police related
http://twitter.com/#
!/matclayton/status/
124932160493850624/p
hoto/1

I am sick to the back teeth of cyclists on pavements - shopping centres and residential areas. They are a bloody curse.

Alice in Her Own Land :P wrote:
I am sick to the back teeth of cyclists on pavements - shopping centres and residential areas. They are a bloody curse.

a lot of them are pampered mummy's boys whosmummy won't let them ride on the road because it's too dangerous for mummy's little soldier - and that's just the thirty year old ones!

I don't have a problem with cyclists in the High Street, so long as they are respectful of, and give way to pedestrians. The High Street is wide and except on those Saturdays when there is a market, there is no problem.

Unfortunately as always there is a small group of young people who do cause a major nuisance, don't care a s**t about anyone else, and give a mouthful of abuse if challenged.

emcee wrote:

Bosniavet wrote:

GentleGiant wrote: So the police are admitting they do not enforce the law - nothing new here then.

That is how it appears, but I think the headline is wrong, it should read "Cops: We won’t stop town centre cyclists" not "Cops: We can’t stop town centre cyclists"

Actually the headline IS correct. The high Street is indeed "shared space" and under the highways act this can be used by cyclists. However, a local bylaw bans cycling in this shared space. Because it is a bylaw signs MUST be errected to notify cyclists that the normal shared space useage does not apply to them. If these signs are not present the bylaw cannot be enforced. So, in this instance, it is the council who have failed, not the police. Once the council errect the signs the fines can be imposed.

There are signs - I pass at least one every day on my way to the train station.

Even if the police tell you to get off, just carry on cycling. Mr plod wont catch you. Dont worry about that.

I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any).
Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Bosniavet wrote:

stropmag wrote:
I assume the requirement for a bicycle to be fitted with an audible warning instrument still exists. How many of the cyclists on the lack of signing pedestrian area have one? Not many I'd wager but life is too short.

This has been raised before. It is a requirement for new bicycles to have a bel or similar fitted, but there is no requirement to keep it fitted or for bicycles to have them when in use.

Maybe Essex Constabulary could give us details of what laws they will enforce

I am grateful for the update. As I said, life is too short.

Essex Police are just working down the list of crimes gradually ignoring them one by one as they deem them too "difficult" to enforce.
~
Hopefully, eventually they'll get to Motorists offences but I imagine society will have collapsed before that happens....

Most cyclists are self pitying hypocrites, ready to break every traffic law, with utter disdain towards both pedestrian and vehicle, until they get knocked orrfff!

JuliaM wrote:

emcee wrote:

Bosniavet wrote:

GentleGiant wrote: So the police are admitting they do not enforce the law - nothing new here then.

That is how it appears, but I think the headline is wrong, it should read "Cops: We won’t stop town centre cyclists" not "Cops: We can’t stop town centre cyclists"

Actually the headline IS correct. The high Street is indeed "shared space" and under the highways act this can be used by cyclists. However, a local bylaw bans cycling in this shared space. Because it is a bylaw signs MUST be errected to notify cyclists that the normal shared space useage does not apply to them. If these signs are not present the bylaw cannot be enforced. So, in this instance, it is the council who have failed, not the police. Once the council errect the signs the fines can be imposed.

There are signs - I pass at least one every day on my way to the train station.

Exactly, & I had already pointed this out in a previous comment, hence my statement that the headline ws incorrect. However, after hearing what happened to a acquaintance when their flat was invaded, trashed & occuoied whilst they were there, the fact the Police won't even enforce a long-establishged law doesn't surprise me.

Apologies for any spelling errors in the above post, my typing skills leave a lot to be desired.....

OhSoSimpleSimon wrote:
I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any).
Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Just like motorists who speed, park illegally on pavements double-yellows, and cycle paths, run red lights, drive without insurance licence and MOT, hit and run, drive without seatbelts, drive while using their phones...

ADucksQuack wrote:

OhSoSimpleSimon wrote: I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any). Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Just like motorists who speed, park illegally on pavements double-yellows, and cycle paths, run red lights, drive without insurance licence and MOT, hit and run, drive without seatbelts, drive while using their phones...

That's as maybe, but this discussion is reference the story that Essex Police do not enforce the law regarding cyclists breaking the law by cycling in the pedestrianised areas of Southend High Street.
If you do see all this law-breaking, then I suggest you make notes of times, places, registration numbers etc & report the matter to the Police, I'm sure you'll find they will try to track down the offenders. As regards illegal parking, you can always approach one of the Civil Enforcement Officers & suggest they ticket them (however, when I approached 2 in Hamlet Court Rd about cars parked on the pavement, I was told they could do nothing & I would have to contact the Police).

Bosniavet wrote:

ADucksQuack wrote:

OhSoSimpleSimon wrote: I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any). Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Just like motorists who speed, park illegally on pavements double-yellows, and cycle paths, run red lights, drive without insurance licence and MOT, hit and run, drive without seatbelts, drive while using their phones...

That's as maybe, but this discussion is reference the story that Essex Police do not enforce the law regarding cyclists breaking the law by cycling in the pedestrianised areas of Southend High Street.
If you do see all this law-breaking, then I suggest you make notes of times, places, registration numbers etc & report the matter to the Police, I'm sure you'll find they will try to track down the offenders. As regards illegal parking, you can always approach one of the Civil Enforcement Officers & suggest they ticket them (however, when I approached 2 in Hamlet Court Rd about cars parked on the pavement, I was told they could do nothing & I would have to contact the Police).

Hypocrite. That has never stopped you bringing cyclists into the discussion when the story has been lawbreaking drivers.

ADucksQuack wrote:

Bosniavet wrote:

ADucksQuack wrote:

OhSoSimpleSimon wrote: I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any). Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Just like motorists who speed, park illegally on pavements double-yellows, and cycle paths, run red lights, drive without insurance licence and MOT, hit and run, drive without seatbelts, drive while using their phones...

That's as maybe, but this discussion is reference the story that Essex Police do not enforce the law regarding cyclists breaking the law by cycling in the pedestrianised areas of Southend High Street. If you do see all this law-breaking, then I suggest you make notes of times, places, registration numbers etc & report the matter to the Police, I'm sure you'll find they will try to track down the offenders. As regards illegal parking, you can always approach one of the Civil Enforcement Officers & suggest they ticket them (however, when I approached 2 in Hamlet Court Rd about cars parked on the pavement, I was told they could do nothing & I would have to contact the Police).

Hypocrite. That has never stopped you bringing cyclists into the discussion when the story has been lawbreaking drivers.

I should have known you'd start with the insults, well I am not going to be coerced into a battle of words with you, but maybe you should think about what you have just said. If this was a general story about people breaking traffic & other laws or the generalised use of roads, footpaths, "shared areas" etc , then yes, people would mention all road-users. This was a story specifically about the Police stating they can/will not enforce the law as regards cyclists within a particular area. Please stop this vindictive campaign it seems you wish to wage on me.

Bosniavet wrote:

ADucksQuack wrote:

Bosniavet wrote:

ADucksQuack wrote:

OhSoSimpleSimon wrote: I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any). Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Just like motorists who speed, park illegally on pavements double-yellows, and cycle paths, run red lights, drive without insurance licence and MOT, hit and run, drive without seatbelts, drive while using their phones...

That's as maybe, but this discussion is reference the story that Essex Police do not enforce the law regarding cyclists breaking the law by cycling in the pedestrianised areas of Southend High Street. If you do see all this law-breaking, then I suggest you make notes of times, places, registration numbers etc & report the matter to the Police, I'm sure you'll find they will try to track down the offenders. As regards illegal parking, you can always approach one of the Civil Enforcement Officers & suggest they ticket them (however, when I approached 2 in Hamlet Court Rd about cars parked on the pavement, I was told they could do nothing & I would have to contact the Police).

Hypocrite. That has never stopped you bringing cyclists into the discussion when the story has been lawbreaking drivers.

I should have known you'd start with the insults, well I am not going to be coerced into a battle of words with you, but maybe you should think about what you have just said. If this was a general story about people breaking traffic & other laws or the generalised use of roads, footpaths, "shared areas" etc , then yes, people would mention all road-users. This was a story specifically about the Police stating they can/will not enforce the law as regards cyclists within a particular area. Please stop this vindictive campaign it seems you wish to wage on me.

Pointing out your hypocrisy is not being 'insulting', so give up trying to wriggle. On stories about hit and runs, or car crashes, or road deaths, you have nearly always been one of the first in whining about, 'cyclists this and cyclists that…' Your favourite whine as I recall is cyclists on pavements, yet you say nothing about cars parked on pavements.

ADucksQuack wrote:

Bosniavet wrote:

ADucksQuack wrote:

Bosniavet wrote:

ADucksQuack wrote:

OhSoSimpleSimon wrote: I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any). Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Just like motorists who speed, park illegally on pavements double-yellows, and cycle paths, run red lights, drive without insurance licence and MOT, hit and run, drive without seatbelts, drive while using their phones...

That's as maybe, but this discussion is reference the story that Essex Police do not enforce the law regarding cyclists breaking the law by cycling in the pedestrianised areas of Southend High Street. If you do see all this law-breaking, then I suggest you make notes of times, places, registration numbers etc & report the matter to the Police, I'm sure you'll find they will try to track down the offenders. As regards illegal parking, you can always approach one of the Civil Enforcement Officers & suggest they ticket them (however, when I approached 2 in Hamlet Court Rd about cars parked on the pavement, I was told they could do nothing & I would have to contact the Police).

Hypocrite. That has never stopped you bringing cyclists into the discussion when the story has been lawbreaking drivers.

I should have known you'd start with the insults, well I am not going to be coerced into a battle of words with you, but maybe you should think about what you have just said. If this was a general story about people breaking traffic & other laws or the generalised use of roads, footpaths, "shared areas" etc , then yes, people would mention all road-users. This was a story specifically about the Police stating they can/will not enforce the law as regards cyclists within a particular area. Please stop this vindictive campaign it seems you wish to wage on me.

Pointing out your hypocrisy is not being 'insulting', so give up trying to wriggle. On stories about hit and runs, or car crashes, or road deaths, you have nearly always been one of the first in whining about, 'cyclists this and cyclists that…' Your favourite whine as I recall is cyclists on pavements, yet you say nothing about cars parked on pavements.

As I said, you are trying to goad me, it will not work.

It's ok - give it twelve more monthsand the high street will be so derelict and vacant they'll be able to use it as a mixed use cycle way and skate park. No one will be shopping there anyway.

i,m often down the high street and rarely see a policeman anyway,i think this problem will be dealt with only if someone is seriously injured,and unfortunately it is only a matter of time till that occurs.Also some of those mobility vehicles whizz down the high street,maybe something should be done about their speed too.

Give the PCSOs bicycles so then can catch them. Oh- wait a minute, you have to be fit for that (hahaha).

carnacation wrote:
Most cyclists are self pitying hypocrites, ready to break every traffic law, with utter disdain towards both pedestrian and vehicle, until they get knocked orrfff!

Oh do get a grip, carnacation, and perhaps a life as well. Perhaps you have a problem with teenagers that go belting around pedestrians in the shopping centre, fair enough, no-one would disagree with you I am sure. But MOST cyclist "self pitying hypocrites", come on sir, you sound more than just a little like sour-grapes here. I doubt you notice the many cyclist (certainly the grown-up ones) that cause you no problem at all, and are doing their bit towards keeping fit and not burning polluting fuels (and yes, I cycle AND drive). The majority of cyclists do their best to AVOID vehicles and pedestrians, for obvious reasons. Just think a little before you sound off, then maybe your voice would appear more reasonable and your opinion would count towards the greater good and perhaps even help make a difference.
Ah well. Rant over.

OhSoSimpleSimon wrote:
I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any).
Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Oh good grief, here we go again. The same old whining about cyclists jumping red lights. How long is it since any of you people tried cycling on the roads? Decades I expect! Allow me to explain why it is often safer to jump a red light, for none of you can actually have thought it through.
Imagine you are at a junction on a bicycle, the light is red and traffic is queued behind you. The junction offers clear visibility in all directions, there are no pedestrians crossing and no cars using the road that has the green light. Do you:-
A) wait for your light to go green before moving off and accept that you will experience numerous near misses as the drivers from behind all panic to get through the junction at the same time as you before the lights turn green.
or
B) nip across while the road is empty, cars will then pass you a little further on away from the danger of the (often narrower) junction.
Cycling on the roads is more about safety and staying alive rather than simply sticking rigidly to the highway code. Before you hypocritical drivers say that everyone should always obey the law, just tell me how many of you stick precisely to the speed limit. I drive regularly, and I can say with certainty the numbers would be below one percent, or closer to nil! It is true. When questioned you will always say you drive for safety rather than just to an arbitrary limit (I am not saying that is right though). Think about it.
Anyway, why whine? The cyclist is DOING YOU A FAVOUR! he/she is getting out of the junction quicker, allowing more cars to cross on the green light.
The latter comment also applies to pedestrian crossings. Why on earth would a driver waiting at the crossing want the cyclist to dismount and walk over the road, surely this would mean the driver would have to wait three times as long. Totally illogical, and again it just sounds like people moaning for the sake of it and not thinking things through logically.
Where I do agree with the whiners is about cyclists (chavvy kids/teens usually) cycling with speed through pedestrian areas or fast along pavements. Totally inconsiderate and quite logically wrong and dangerous.

southend brummie wrote:
I don't have a problem with cyclists in the High Street, so long as they are respectful of, and give way to pedestrians. The High Street is wide and except on those Saturdays when there is a market, there is no problem.

Unfortunately as always there is a small group of young people who do cause a major nuisance, don't care a s**t about anyone else, and give a mouthful of abuse if challenged.

At last, a realistic and common sense comment, thank you southend brummie. As with many areas of life we seem to be forgetting to punish the offenders that cause a menace, rather than people just trying to cope with a busy world and get of without causing harm or danger to others

It's 2011 for God's sake, if comics from 50 years ago have taught me anything then we should all be flying around in solo space ships by now and not using bicycles. And the reason we're not? Bl00dy Southend Council and their extortionate parking prices.

Blind Haze wrote:
It's 2011 for God's sake, if comics from 50 years ago have taught me anything then we should all be flying around in solo space ships by now and not using bicycles. And the reason we're not? Bl00dy Southend Council and their extortionate parking prices.

Its only extortionate if you drive everywhere. Are Southend Council responsible for global warming?

Alekhine wrote:

Blind Haze wrote: It's 2011 for God's sake, if comics from 50 years ago have taught me anything then we should all be flying around in solo space ships by now and not using bicycles. And the reason we're not? Bl00dy Southend Council and their extortionate parking prices.

Its only extortionate if you drive everywhere. Are Southend Council responsible for global warming?

No, Southend Council are definitely not responsible.

Blind Haze wrote:

Alekhine wrote:

Blind Haze wrote: It's 2011 for God's sake, if comics from 50 years ago have taught me anything then we should all be flying around in solo space ships by now and not using bicycles. And the reason we're not? Bl00dy Southend Council and their extortionate parking prices.

Its only extortionate if you drive everywhere. Are Southend Council responsible for global warming?

No, Southend Council are definitely not responsible.

But they are responsible for a lot of hot air ....

I had a look around the high street yesterday, didnt notice the no cycling signs, but I did notice a cyclists and pedestrain shared access sign by the odeon and by the royals a sign seeming to indicate the high street is infact part of the cycling 'network', so going by them Id say it was legal to cycle there.

tbh most cyclists I dont have a problem with youll get the odd idiot on his phone or going to fast, but to date I dont recall any accidents or reports of accidents - im sure the echo would be all over that if there was.

And carnacation you either spend your life with your head in the daily mail or you dont see what actually goes on around you, the majority of cyclists do not ride as you stated the odd ones that get noticed do. I see more car drivers speeding, jumping red lights talking on phones every morning than I do cyclists breaking the law. But then Im sure everyone that has spoken against the cyclists here drives well within every law, never speeding or on their phone or jumping lights... Because that will be choosing the laws that suit you really wouldnt it...?

Should Essex Police have to force people to obey the laws of the land or should the public take some degree in responsibility to not break them in the first place.
.
Commiting a crime, no matter how small, doesn't make it alright until you are caught.
.
Lazy public, lazy police.

smiffy22 wrote:

OhSoSimpleSimon wrote:
I agree with Alice - cyclists seem to think that they are a law unto themsleves. This means that they think they can pick and choose which laws they obey (if any).
Cycling through the High Street, jumping red lights, cycling over pedestrian crossings - I am utterly fed up and I want the police to start doing something.

Oh good grief, here we go again. The same old whining about cyclists jumping red lights. How long is it since any of you people tried cycling on the roads? Decades I expect! Allow me to explain why it is often safer to jump a red light, for none of you can actually have thought it through.
Imagine you are at a junction on a bicycle, the light is red and traffic is queued behind you. The junction offers clear visibility in all directions, there are no pedestrians crossing and no cars using the road that has the green light. Do you:-
A) wait for your light to go green before moving off and accept that you will experience numerous near misses as the drivers from behind all panic to get through the junction at the same time as you before the lights turn green.
or
B) nip across while the road is empty, cars will then pass you a little further on away from the danger of the (often narrower) junction.
Cycling on the roads is more about safety and staying alive rather than simply sticking rigidly to the highway code. Before you hypocritical drivers say that everyone should always obey the law, just tell me how many of you stick precisely to the speed limit. I drive regularly, and I can say with certainty the numbers would be below one percent, or closer to nil! It is true. When questioned you will always say you drive for safety rather than just to an arbitrary limit (I am not saying that is right though). Think about it.
Anyway, why whine? The cyclist is DOING YOU A FAVOUR! he/she is getting out of the junction quicker, allowing more cars to cross on the green light.
The latter comment also applies to pedestrian crossings. Why on earth would a driver waiting at the crossing want the cyclist to dismount and walk over the road, surely this would mean the driver would have to wait three times as long. Totally illogical, and again it just sounds like people moaning for the sake of it and not thinking things through logically.
Where I do agree with the whiners is about cyclists (chavvy kids/teens usually) cycling with speed through pedestrian areas or fast along pavements. Totally inconsiderate and quite logically wrong and dangerous.

I'm a cyclist. I think if you are jumping red lights then you should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and banned from ever using a bicycle again.. It is the minority of scofflaw cyclists like you who get the majority of law-abiding cyclists a bad name.

When walking down the High Street I spend more time dodging the 'Chuggers' than i do the cyclists!

http://youtu.be/QSiB
VTtrS1w