On-the-spot fines for cyclists who flout lights law (From York Press)
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On-the-spot fines for cyclists who flout lights law in York
8:40am Thursday 14th January 2010 in News
A cyclist without lights in York
A POLICE operation in York to catch cyclists who risk lives by breaking the rules of the road has been hailed a success.
Bikers who failed to put lights on their bikes in the dark were targeted in a winter campaign, tagged Operation Image, which saw a string of on-the-spot fines handed out to the offenders.
The roadside education initiative – run by North Yorkshire Police, Safer York Partnership and Cycling City York – was launched in November with the aim of reminding cyclists of the need to ensure that they can be clearly seen by all road users and pedestrians once the light fades.
Police stopped anyone seen riding a bike after dark without lights and the cyclists were issued with either a £30 fixed penalty ticket or a suspended fixed penalty notice that gave them a fortnight to ensure working lights were fitted to their cycle.
During the two month operation, a total of 68 14-day fixed penalty notices were issued; eight verbal warnings were given and 19 people were handed a £30 fixed penalty ticket.
Graham Titchener, programme manager for Cycling City York, said the crackdown “significantly reduced” the number of cyclists putting their lives and the lives of others at risk on the road.
“Since the start of Operation Image, there have been a number of neighbourhood policing teams out at key locations across York during the morning and evening rush hours working hard in all weathers to enforce safer cycling,” he said.
“It’s clear that the operation has had an impact as colleagues within the partner organisations that make up Cycling City York have reported seeing far fewer cyclists out after dark without lights.”
Fiona Willey, temporary sergeant and community safety officer for the Safer York Partnership, said: “I think Operation Image has proved really successful; each week since its launch there has been a marked reduction in the number of cyclists being seen without lights.
“Sadly, we know that there are a small minority of cyclists who continue to flout the law and we would encourage them to take a more responsible approach for their own safety and that of other road users and pedestrians.
“The message is loud and clear – if you don’t light up at night you face enforcement action.”
Comments(66)
1speedisalluneed
says...
8:54am Thu 14 Jan 10
Security words, mass-stop
maybejustmaybe
says...
9:18am Thu 14 Jan 10
1speedisalluneed
says...
9:23am Thu 14 Jan 10
Bemused
says...
9:37am Thu 14 Jan 10
“Sadly, we know that there are a small minority of cyclists who continue to flout the law and we would encourage them to take a more responsible approach for their own safety and that of other road users and pedestrians.
“The message is loud and clear – if you don’t light up at night you face enforcement action.”
Not a minority a majority, with little chance of being dealt with, and they are just as dangerous to themselves and other road users during the day, riding on pavements, ignoring traffic lights and signs, and being totally lacking in road sense.
whoRUkidding
says...
9:44am Thu 14 Jan 10
voiceofreality
says...
9:47am Thu 14 Jan 10
To many are killed by not obaying the law!
topumpire1
says...
9:54am Thu 14 Jan 10
pedalling paul wrote:Not just Jaywalking, but all road pedestrians who cross the road without looking, especially at junctions when drives (like myself) then have to wait in the main road until they have crossed, whilst chatting on mobile oblivious of where they are.
Hope the next campaign will target pedestians who jaywalk in front of road users, with mobile phones or ipods glued to their lugholes.
topumpire1
says...
9:56am Thu 14 Jan 10
maybejustmaybe wrote:Here, Here!!!
Hope they collared those as well who think traffic lights and one streets dont apply to them.
I have seen too many cyclists flout traffic lights & cycle across, although cautiously, looking for gaps. It must be stopped!
Garrowby Turnoff
says...
10:29am Thu 14 Jan 10
pedalling paul wrote:Do you think compulsory insurance for pushbikes using the roads is do-able Paul?
Hope the next campaign will target pedestians who jaywalk in front of road users, with mobile phones or ipods glued to their lugholes.
1speedisalluneed
says...
10:31am Thu 14 Jan 10
Garrowby Turnoff wrote:Not a bad idea, I would be willing to take out a policy if onlyto cover the cost of mending my bike when mindless car drivers get too close :-)
pedalling paul wrote: Hope the next campaign will target pedestians who jaywalk in front of road users, with mobile phones or ipods glued to their lugholes.Do you think compulsory insurance for pushbikes using the roads is do-able Paul?
nobodyknowswhoiam
says...
10:38am Thu 14 Jan 10
Silver
says...
11:07am Thu 14 Jan 10
Bemused
says...
11:26am Thu 14 Jan 10
During the two month operation, a total of 68 14-day fixed penalty notices were issued; eight verbal warnings were given and 19 people were handed a £30 fixed penalty ticket.
Because it's a pathetic result for a 2 month campaign, I spot at least a dozen every time I drive into the city centre on a night.
nobodyknowswhoiam
says...
11:28am Thu 14 Jan 10
Zetkin
says...
11:28am Thu 14 Jan 10
`
road users all whingeing about each other as though the whinger never does anything wrong while ALL whingees are guilty of the most heinous breaches of the highway code.
`
Drivers moan about cyclists but won't acknowledge the problems cause when they accelerate to be the last one through a red light, or when they park on the pavement to avoid the yellow lines.
`
Cyclists complain about other road users not respecting cycle lanes, yet seem to think cycling without lights is OK as long as you do it on the pavement.
`
etc etc etc ad nauseam
1speedisalluneed
says...
11:31am Thu 14 Jan 10
Garrowby Turnoff
says...
11:48am Thu 14 Jan 10
Bemused wrote:How did you insert that quote from the Press article in your post? I want to do that as well but I can't do it and its getting me A N N O Y E D!
During the two month operation, a total of 68 14-day fixed penalty notices were issued; eight verbal warnings were given and 19 people were handed a £30 fixed penalty ticket.Because it's a pathetic result for a 2 month campaign, I spot at least a dozen every time I drive into the city centre on a night.
¬
Pity we've got to use these effing marks...
¬
to line drop...
¬
as well...
Stevie D
says...
12:31pm Thu 14 Jan 10
How did you insert that quote from the Press article in your post?
Type (without the spaces) then paste in the text from the article or comment, and end with (again, without the spaces)
Stevie D
says...
12:34pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Stevie D wrote:OK, that's stuffed up what I wanted to type.
Garrowby Turnoff:How did you insert that quote from the Press article in your post?Type (without the spaces) then paste in the text from the article or comment, and end with (again, without the spaces)
Let's try again.
Using square brackets instead of round brackets, type
(quote)Text copied from article or comment that you want to quote(/quote)
mystic_genius
says...
12:46pm Thu 14 Jan 10
1speedisalluneed wrote:Why don't you then? Many places already offer cycle insurance...
Garrowby Turnoff wrote:Not a bad idea, I would be willing to take out a policy if onlyto cover the cost of mending my bike when mindless car drivers get too close :-)pedalling paul wrote: Hope the next campaign will target pedestians who jaywalk in front of road users, with mobile phones or ipods glued to their lugholes.Do you think compulsory insurance for pushbikes using the roads is do-able Paul?
1speedisalluneed
says...
12:48pm Thu 14 Jan 10
mystic_genius wrote:Because its not compulsary yet and my bikes are added onto my home insurance.
1speedisalluneed wrote:Why don't you then? Many places already offer cycle insurance...Garrowby Turnoff wrote:Not a bad idea, I would be willing to take out a policy if onlyto cover the cost of mending my bike when mindless car drivers get too close :-)pedalling paul wrote: Hope the next campaign will target pedestians who jaywalk in front of road users, with mobile phones or ipods glued to their lugholes.Do you think compulsory insurance for pushbikes using the roads is do-able Paul?
Mister Sheen
says...
12:50pm Thu 14 Jan 10
nobodyknowswhoiam wrote:...then you can be held to account for "failing to stop" and earn a free lift to the police station. Any PCSO, who spends almost all day on a bike and is therefore fit as butcher's.. is gonna catch you. Even if they don't they have some cars as well!!
If I am stopped by no lights I will just pedal away and defy anybody to catch up with me...
Kynnersley
says...
12:54pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Bemused wrote:Cyclists are no worse at flouting the law than other road users. Lets take lights for example the number of motorists driving around with bulbs out for weeks/months on end, having blue lights, illegal use of fog lights, no lights/side lights in fog and poor visibilty. Please take your blinkers off !!!!
“Sadly, we know that there are a small minority of cyclists who continue to flout the law and we would encourage them to take a more responsible approach for their own safety and that of other road users and pedestrians. “The message is loud and clear – if you don’t light up at night you face enforcement action.”Not a minority a majority, with little chance of being dealt with, and they are just as dangerous to themselves and other road users during the day, riding on pavements, ignoring traffic lights and signs, and being totally lacking in road sense.
Henry Swanson
says...
1:00pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Rantin Reg
says...
1:07pm Thu 14 Jan 10
You can buy a set of bicycle lights for about £5.00 from Wilkinson’s and batteries are very cheap these days, so there is no excuse.
Kids should not put their lives at risk instead of spending such little money on their safety, and newsagents should bear some responsibility. They should be liable if they let kids go out on bikes to deliver their newspapers in the dark without lights in working order being fitted and in use.
MCWM
says...
1:14pm Thu 14 Jan 10
1speedisalluneed wrote:lol.
I drive a car, own a motorbike and commute daily on my push bike. You should see the arguments I have with myself.
I commute on my bike and drive a car so can understand both sides' frustrations. Cyclists who have poor or no lights are idiots. Cyclists who jump red lights at junctions are also morons and I pity anyone who has had to take evasive action to avoid them - however, from my experiences they are definitely in the minority, don't tar us all with the same brush.
Not all drivers are perfect either. Two bits of advice, please leave plenty of space when overtaking cyclists, plus for those of you with terrible spatial awareness (and there are quite a few of you), please don't drive 6" from the kerb in slow moving traffic, otherwise don't be surprised when cyclist undertake you on the footpath (not that I'm condoning it).
Lets be honest, if cycling wasn't quicker than driving lots more people would be driving, which would increase traffic volumes cause even more delay. I wonder how many people sitting there cars in the stationary traffic actually appreciate that? Not many I suspect...
evelyn_trent
says...
1:36pm Thu 14 Jan 10
thepman
says...
1:40pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Pedestrians manage crossing the road when safe, why shouldn't cyclists be able to turn left at red lights, less chance of being squashed by a bus and knocked off by accelerating cars.
On the lights issue I agree it is just plan stupid not to use them, but the implied suggestion that car drivers are all saints is risible! Leave a cyclist life up to themselves I say
Melody Clarke
says...
2:24pm Thu 14 Jan 10
2. Nobody says you're "risking life and limb" every time you go through a red light - but you're breaking the law, and it gives all cyclists a bad name. Would you sneak through when driving a car if you "knew" it was safe? What you can do is climb down from your bike, and cross the junction as a pedestrian, remounting once you're through the lights.
nobodyknowswhoiam
says...
2:33pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Henry Swanson wrote:yeah..me too!
If the traffic lights are used judgingley then why should they apply, Im not waiting 2 mins at a light when I know there will be no traffic coming from the other direction because I know the lights!
Henry Swanson
says...
3:05pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Melody Clarke wrote:So its okay to get off, cross the road then get on again, erm, still technically cutting the lights love, only having the inconvenience of getting on and off your bike to do it!
1. It's dangerous and illegal (read the Highway Code) to undertake at all, whatever your vehicle. So when you're cycling in slow-moving traffic you have to pull out and overtake. Therefore, drivers who pull in to "6 inches from the kerb" are being helpful. 2. Nobody says you're "risking life and limb" every time you go through a red light - but you're breaking the law, and it gives all cyclists a bad name. Would you sneak through when driving a car if you "knew" it was safe? What you can do is climb down from your bike, and cross the junction as a pedestrian, remounting once you're through the lights.
1speedisalluneed
says...
3:07pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Henry Swanson wrote:Thought this started off as an article about bike lights not the legalities of the Highway Code.
Melody Clarke wrote: 1. It's dangerous and illegal (read the Highway Code) to undertake at all, whatever your vehicle. So when you're cycling in slow-moving traffic you have to pull out and overtake. Therefore, drivers who pull in to "6 inches from the kerb" are being helpful. 2. Nobody says you're "risking life and limb" every time you go through a red light - but you're breaking the law, and it gives all cyclists a bad name. Would you sneak through when driving a car if you "knew" it was safe? What you can do is climb down from your bike, and cross the junction as a pedestrian, remounting once you're through the lights.So its okay to get off, cross the road then get on again, erm, still technically cutting the lights love, only having the inconvenience of getting on and off your bike to do it!
Garrowby Turnoff
says...
3:16pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Fiona Willey, temporary sergeant and community safety officer for the Safer York Partnership, said: “I think Operation Image has proved really successful; each week since its launch there has been a marked reduction in the number of cyclists being seen without lights.
I'm just trying out the quote thingy from Stevie D. Let's see if it works...
Garrowby Turnoff
says...
3:18pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Garrowby Turnoff wrote:Thanks Stevie D...
Fiona Willey, temporary sergeant and community safety officer for the Safer York Partnership, said: “I think Operation Image has proved really successful; each week since its launch there has been a marked reduction in the number of cyclists being seen without lights.I'm just trying out the quote thingy from Stevie D. Let's see if it works...
1speedisalluneed
says...
3:20pm Thu 14 Jan 10
I think you will find the poor weather put more people off cycling not the threat of being chased by PCSO.
akuma
says...
3:54pm Thu 14 Jan 10
However with the above in mind, the overall idea is good as cyclists get away with way too much due to a lack of rules.
If they had sat at the bottom of Bellfarm for the entire operation I recon the numbers would be 50X greater!
Jonelle
says...
4:29pm Thu 14 Jan 10
pedalling paul
says...
4:32pm Thu 14 Jan 10
nobodyknowswhoiam wrote:...unless of course the catcher is a cycling police officer or PCSO who has been highly trained to use a cycle for reponse policing situations. Then you'll have no chance mon ami!
If I am stopped by no lights I will just pedal away and defy anybody to catch up with me...
thepman
says...
4:34pm Thu 14 Jan 10
And yes I've gone through plenty of red lights in the car, you'll probably notice many drivers doing it at any junction, if there is nobody there what’s the problem. Further, we all seem perfectly able, whether car, bike or on foot to negotiate junctions without lights!
1speedisalluneed
says...
4:45pm Thu 14 Jan 10
pedalling paul wrote:Oh believe me nobodyknowswhoiam would leave them in a cloud of dust, as would I. Would you Paul?
nobodyknowswhoiam wrote: If I am stopped by no lights I will just pedal away and defy anybody to catch up with me......unless of course the catcher is a cycling police officer or PCSO who has been highly trained to use a cycle for reponse policing situations. Then you'll have no chance mon ami!
yo30 dan
says...
4:55pm Thu 14 Jan 10
p.s. thanks to the 2 BMW drivers who purposefully cut me up on my bike today. If this carries on there will literally be civil war.
Gromit
says...
5:07pm Thu 14 Jan 10
How about charging people with not clearing snow off every bit of there car as stated in the highway code. Its lazy dangerous and stupid.
I see about 10 people a day with lights that don't work properly on their cars.
Gromit
says...
5:09pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Get-a-grip
says...
5:09pm Thu 14 Jan 10
What a joke..90% of residents would rather bikes didn't exist.
Too true, cyclists are a dangerous pain in the backside, and who consulted the 'residents' about being a 'cycling city'?
The problem with cyclists jumping red lights and dying through pure stupidity, is that they might scratch the bodywork of some motorist's car, and that's really serious!
again
says...
5:19pm Thu 14 Jan 10
When I renew my car and van insurance I always make sure I have legal cover, too.
There are too many impatient intolerant bigots out there.
Gromit
says...
5:26pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Get-a-grip wrote:Oh and car drivers, don't go round running red lights, speeding, using mobile phones, putting make up on, driving whilst drunk or drugged up and killing people do they?
What a joke..90% of residents would rather bikes didn't exist.
Too true, cyclists are a dangerous pain in the backside, and who consulted the 'residents' about being a 'cycling city'?
The problem with cyclists jumping red lights and dying through pure stupidity, is that they might scratch the bodywork of some motorist's car, and that's really serious!
Too many cars on the roads and too many stupid people who can't drive being allowed to keep their licences. Everyone should be made to take a driving test every 5 years and if they don't pass they should be made to stop driving all together.
yorkiedave
says...
5:51pm Thu 14 Jan 10
also don't forget the fact that most drivers have no idea what to do at a roundabout. they are unaware as to which lane to be in,how to indicate or who has the right of way !
sourpuss
says...
6:37pm Thu 14 Jan 10
If you give a ticket to a car driver then you have the car registration, driving licence, etc as proof of name/address.
If you stop a cyclist and they give you their details then what proof do you have that they're not just giving you false details and are going to ignore the ticket?
Also, on a seperate subject, I'm surprised that no-one has commented on the pictured cyclist dangerously holding a carrier bag on the handlebar (hand holding bag obviously isn't totally in control of steering/brake, it could throw off balance on corners, get caught in the front wheel, etc)
Garrowby Turnoff
says...
6:55pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Get-a-grip
says...
7:54pm Thu 14 Jan 10
Also, on a seperate subject, I'm surprised that no-one has commented on the pictured cyclist dangerously holding a carrier bag on the handlebar (hand holding bag obviously isn't totally in control of steering/brake, it could throw off balance on corners, get caught in the front wheel, etc)
Probably no one noticed because it's normal practice for the majority of cyclists, and I've seen a lot worse.
A minute percentage of car drivers are a menace, but the majority of cyclists are, committing just about every offence on statute book and by the way. Blue lights showing to the front on cycles are illegal, must be white. Thought I'd just mention it in passing.
Yes I know some cars and HGVs do the same, and they should be stamped on as well.
pedalling paul
says...
10:51pm Thu 14 Jan 10
1speedisalluneed wrote:.....probably not, at my age!
pedalling paul wrote:Oh believe me nobodyknowswhoiam would leave them in a cloud of dust, as would I. Would you Paul?nobodyknowswhoiam wrote: If I am stopped by no lights I will just pedal away and defy anybody to catch up with me......unless of course the catcher is a cycling police officer or PCSO who has been highly trained to use a cycle for reponse policing situations. Then you'll have no chance mon ami!
Rhino's Wellies
says...
12:33am Fri 15 Jan 10
I wonder if piddling Paul has been fined yet?
mystic_genius
says...
7:54am Fri 15 Jan 10
nobodyknowswhoiam wrote:I assume you are both cyclists?
Henry Swanson wrote: If the traffic lights are used judgingley then why should they apply, Im not waiting 2 mins at a light when I know there will be no traffic coming from the other direction because I know the lights!yeah..me too!
`
Does this mean car drivers are allowed to go through red lights also?
`
The highway code is there for a reason. I don't agree with the vast majority of it, but it's still there...
yorkdweller
says...
8:21am Fri 15 Jan 10
A Cyclist/Motorist
Henry Swanson
says...
8:45am Fri 15 Jan 10
mystic_genius wrote:If I was at a junction say for instance the one on the bottom of bootham and I was driving (I usually cycle but can and do drive too) and I was blocking the flow of traffic to the left as I was waiting to go left and I could see (as you can) that there was no oncoming flow of traffic coming from the right then yeah I'd cut the light
nobodyknowswhoiam wrote:I assume you are both cyclists? ` Does this mean car drivers are allowed to go through red lights also? ` The highway code is there for a reason. I don't agree with the vast majority of it, but it's still there...Henry Swanson wrote: If the traffic lights are used judgingley then why should they apply, Im not waiting 2 mins at a light when I know there will be no traffic coming from the other direction because I know the lights!yeah..me too!
Yorkie Girl
says...
12:42pm Fri 15 Jan 10
pedalling paul wrote:I saw a guy cycling with no lights on the other night (it was probably nobodyknowswhoiam) He cycled past a PCSO who stuck him arm out trying to grab him, shouted stop then as the cyclist rode on, just turned and walked away whilst radioing in....
nobodyknowswhoiam wrote: If I am stopped by no lights I will just pedal away and defy anybody to catch up with me......unless of course the catcher is a cycling police officer or PCSO who has been highly trained to use a cycle for reponse policing situations. Then you'll have no chance mon ami!
I think he has a very good chance Paul..these coppers couldn’t catch a cold!!
Big Bad Wolf
says...
1:42pm Fri 15 Jan 10
10:31am Thu 14 Jan 10
Garrowby Turnoff wrote:
pedalling paul wrote: Hope the next campaign will target pedestians who jaywalk in front of road users, with mobile phones or ipods glued to their lugholes.
Do you think compulsory insurance for pushbikes using the roads is do-able Paul?
Not a bad idea, I would be willing to take out a policy if onlyto cover the cost of mending my bike when mindless car drivers get too close :-)
Would you not claim from the motorists insurance??
mystic_saxophone
says...
4:02pm Fri 15 Jan 10
1speedisalluneed
says...
4:06pm Fri 15 Jan 10
mystic_saxophone wrote:Should be £100 fine for dropping fag ends - dirty habit.
£30?! not enough! I was givena fixed penalty notice of £75 for dropping a fag end on the floor. Fair enough I was in the wrong and I certainly won't do it again but I seriously think riding with no lights on is a much bigger danger than dropping a fag end!
mrfixit2
says...
7:40pm Fri 15 Jan 10
Bemused
says...
11:29am Sat 16 Jan 10
I won't feel any pain like they will if I knock one off because I couldn't see them.
Yes, but you might scratch your car and that's serious!
yorkshirelad
says...
11:31am Sat 16 Jan 10
Of course cyclists without lights break the law and it is reasonable to enforce this law. But are they really worse than other groups?
What percentage of cars speed on York's main roads outside of congested times (about 70-80%)? What about Taxis after about 9pm? What percentage of cars abuse the Advance Cycle Lanes at lights - effectively jumping the red light? Pavement parking? Mobile phone while driving? Drink Driving?.... etc etc etc
The answer is that there is loads of law breaking by ALL road users - but definitely much more by motorists (in absolute AND percentage terms).
So lets not get on our high horses here. Picking on cyclists is simply a cultural thing - it's easy to pick on minorities and may make some people feel a bit better about themselves.
samthedog
says...
1:57pm Tue 19 Jan 10
oldgoat
says...
5:20pm Tue 19 Jan 10
Henry Swanson wrote:Which makes you the kind of idiot who should not be allowed near a car, or a bike.
mystic_genius wrote:If I was at a junction say for instance the one on the bottom of bootham and I was driving (I usually cycle but can and do drive too) and I was blocking the flow of traffic to the left as I was waiting to go left and I could see (as you can) that there was no oncoming flow of traffic coming from the right then yeah I'd cut the light
nobodyknowswhoiam wrote:I assume you are both cyclists? ` Does this mean car drivers are allowed to go through red lights also? ` The highway code is there for a reason. I don't agree with the vast majority of it, but it's still there...Henry Swanson wrote: If the traffic lights are used judgingley then why should they apply, Im not waiting 2 mins at a light when I know there will be no traffic coming from the other direction because I know the lights!yeah..me too!
The Highway Code is not there to be ignored if its causing you an inconvenience - and you'd be pretty quick to quote it if some other idiot on a bike cuts the traffic and piles into you as you turn the corner!
Now, what would really impress me is if the Police followed this up with a similar campaign to catch all the cyclists who seem to think the pavement is theirs, and that one-way streets don't apply to them.
Digeorge
says...
5:52pm Wed 20 Jan 10
pedalling paul says...
8:46am Thu 14 Jan 10