London police forces offer to cancel cyclists penalty notices
November 25, 2009 by Staff · 2 Comments
Cyclists who have received fixed penalty notices in recent days could have them cancelled by the the Met and City of London police forces if they attend a special cycle safety event being held tomorrow (Thursday 26th November).
Officers from the two forces will be stationed outside St Paul’s Cathedral between 12:30hrs to 18.00hrs to give cyclists the opportunity to learn about riding safely, especially near HGVs.
In return for attending, any cyclist issued a fixed penalty notice in Islington, Southwark and the City between 16th – 26th November, which is still unpaid, will be cancelled.
Ch Insp Graham Horwood, from the MPS Traffic Unit, said: “Having your ticket cancelled is a great incentive for cyclists to come along to this event but everyone is welcome.”
Cyclists who wish to take up the offer must take along the ticket and voucher and not pay the ticket in the meantime.
Horwood said the forces wanted to remind cyclists “that bright working lights are not only a legal requirement but a must for staying safe.”
“Any cyclists without working lights on the front and the rear of their bike will be liable to a £30 fixed penalty notice.”
Four trucks will be present at the event, provided by MAN trucks, Cemex and Keltbray Group. Officers say these are modern vehicles, fitted with all currently required mirrors and visibility aids and are being used to demonstrate that even with these aids the size of these vehicles causes blind spots.
Insp Dave Aspinall from the City of London Police Roads Policing Unit said “Making sure the City’s roads are safe is one of the areas that our community has highlighted as being a priority. Events like this, which offer cyclists practical advice on driving on the Capital’s busy roads, help make everyone safer.”
“Horwood said the forces wanted to remind cyclists “that bright working lights are not only a legal requirement but a must for staying safe.””
….but not so strict on cars though eh? I have lost count of the number I have seen with one (or no) brake lights and only one headlight working.
This is what angers cyclists – the onus is all on them to ‘be safe’ but the reality is it’s dangerous drivers who are making cyclists lives hell.
It never ceases to amaze me how the City police can find so many extra personell to “hide in doorways” with the specific intention of catching ‘rogue cyclists’ at a time when they should be investigating the ‘greatest robbery on earth’ – committed by the fraudulent financial institutions.
I shall attend this meeting, but only to ask how they justify the costs for such operations when the casualty rate for cyclists jumping red lights is insignificant compared to the numerous other road incidents.
I shall also be interested to know why such prejudice is shown against cyclists – the officers only ever operate during morning rush hour – specifically to catch the money earners as they ride into work (because people without jobs tend not to pay) – whilst in the evening and during the day they are non-existant. I shall also be interested to hear why cars and mopeds who commit the same offences are not being stopped – in favour of cyclists.
If the constabulary want to prove what an ‘ass’ the law is then I would prefer they do it in another manner. I am a law abiding citizen but the draconian methods of city police towards cyclists has left me with a lot less consideration and sympathy for the officers on the street.
I attended this event – there was 1 man and his dog there – very thin on cyclists.
Managed to have a good chat with one of the officers, and refreshing to hear from a cycle officer how he is unimpressed with the drivers on the streets of London.
Maybe cyclists are happy to pay the fines and continue to not stop at lights – that would be a dilemna for the police – are they going to have to start locking us up?