Cycling Penalty

rbulph

I got a penalty for cycling on the pavement. I didn't have my feet on the pedals, and wasn't going any faster than a pedestrian, so it seemed very harsh, but there you go. Anyway

(i) the www.caofp.latestinfo.co.uk website which is supposed to let me pay the fine won't accept the reference number of the penalty. This is ridiculous. Anyone else have any experience of this?

(ii) anyone know if I have to declare this for my car insurance? This is a bigger concern than the £30 fine.

Thanks

Meepster

(i) why not just phone them or send it through the post?

(ii) why would you have to declare a fine for using a push-bike to your car insurance provider? They are not related in ANY way...

rbulph

(i) I've spent ages trying to phone them and no-one answers. I could send it through the post, but I'm trying to get out of it(!) and I want to argue that the penalty can't be valid if the website tells me the number is incorrect. Worth a try.

(ii) It seems that the question that's asked is whether you've had any motoring convictions, so there shouldn't be any problem. But I know that you can get an endorsement on your driving licence for cycling offences so there is a relationship.

Meepster

(i) just because the website doesn't recognise it, doesn't in any way mean that it isn't valid, it just means either a) there is a problem with the website or b) you are doing something wrong. I just called the automated line and got through straight away.

(ii) You can only get point on your driving licence for MOTORCYCLING offences, NOT pedal-bike offences, there is no relationship at all, never has been, never will be...

CYCLING AND DRIVING LICENCE PENALTY POINTS

In law, cyclists propel vehicles on the highway and so have to adhere to the same rules as motorists. However, the fines and penalties for offences are different. Cyclists DO NOT qualify for three penalty points for failing to comply with a red light. Offending cyclists, when caught, are given a non-endorsable fixed penalty ticket for £30. There are no offences that carry penalty points for cyclists.

rbulph

If I request a court hearing, do I risk having to pay court costs on top of the penalty?

robredz

Any court appearance for a summary offence or dispute of fixed penalty usually carries the risk of costs, if you lose. But if you are caught using your mobile on a push bike I don't think there is a specific offence to do you, and as a push bike is not a motor vehicle, they cannot give you points, or a ban if you were done for drunken riding, unlike a mobility scooter.

brightonman123

how did they get your name address?

i take it you were stopped on the spot? did you give your REAL details? (smacks head..)

cepheus

There is a lot of information on this site about cycling on the pavement

http://www.bikeforall.net/content/cycling_and_the_law.php

rbulph

brightonman123 wrote: »

how did they get your name address?

i take it you were stopped on the spot? did you give your REAL details? (smacks head..)

They threatened to arrest me if I didn't show them ID, so I showed them a credit card which of course had my name on. I then gave them my real address because I didn't want to get into more trouble.

McKneff

You admit you were doing something wrong and indeed you were.
Stop stressing, just pay it and move on

brightonman123

maybe an urban myth, but i recall a story about someone who was caught cydling on pavement but got off as feet werent on the pedals..?