Police Vs Cyclist

Car_54

RS2000. wrote: »

A cycle is defined under vehicles in the road traffic act.

“cycle” means a bicycle, a tricycle, or a cycle having four or more wheels, not being in any case a motor vehicle.

What part of the RTA is that?

No matter , as the relevant part is section 36, which doesn't mention cycles, but refers to "a person driving or propelling a vehicle". A bicycle is a vehicle, as indeed is a tricycle, unicycle etc. And a horse-drawn cart, or one drawn by oxen, zebras, huskies etc.

RS2000.

Car_54 wrote: »

What part of the RTA is that?

No matter , as the relevant part is section 36, which doesn't mention cycles, but refers to "a person driving or propelling a vehicle". A bicycle is a vehicle, as indeed is a tricycle, unicycle etc. And a horse-drawn cart, or one drawn by oxen, zebras, huskies etc.

Really, other than in reference to a crossing can you show us the word zebra anywhere in the road traffic act?

Car_54

RS2000. wrote: »

Really, other than in reference to a crossing can you show us the word zebra anywhere in the road traffic act?

It's nothing to do with the Act, and everything to do with the plain English dictionary definition of a vehicle. A cart is a vehicle, whatever pulls it.

And AFAIK zebra crossings aren't mentioned in the RTA either.

Wig

S185 et seq
defines 'cycle', defines ''motor vehicle'', but not "Vehicle"

Therefore it would revert to dictionary definition of vehicle.

RS2000.

Car_54 wrote: »

It's nothing to do with the Act, and everything to do with the plain English dictionary definition of a vehicle. A cart is a vehicle, whatever pulls it.

And AFAIK zebra crossings aren't mentioned in the RTA either.

The regulations say otherwise if you care to look.

Cornucopia

Presumably these unorthodox vehicles are not lawful on the road at any time, so the matter of running a red light is academic.

shaun_from_Africa

RS2000. wrote: »

A cycle is defined under vehicles in the road traffic act.

“cycle” means a bicycle, a tricycle, or a cycle having four or more wheels, not being in any case a motor vehicle.

All that states is that a cycle is not a motor vehicle. It doesn't say that a cycle is a vehicle for the purposes of the RTA.
The DVLA were asked this exact question and this is what they came up with:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/239546/response/592440/attach/2/FOIR4275%20Andy.pdf

DVLA does not hold information on the definition of ‘vehicle’ or ‘passenger’. Neither term is defined within the RTA.

Iceweasel

Cornucopia wrote: »

Presumably these unorthodox vehicles are not lawful on the road at any time, so the matter of running a red light is academic.

I wouldn't presume that at all.

And here was me just about to get the old Ox-Cart ready for the summer caravanning season.

There are loads of unorthodox vehicles around in some of the pretty parts of the country - such as horse-drawn 'gypsy' caravans in the Lake District , Devon and Wales - and I'm sure they are allowed on most roads.

That's why we have signs prohibiting horse drawn vehicles on some dual carriageways and all motorways.

The problem is that the some folks think that if something is not specifically prohibited then it is permitted.

I used to refer to that naieve concept by pointing out to my students that nowhere in the University rules did it say that you were not allowed to ride a motorcycle naked along the Science Block corridors. Usually got a laugh and AFAIK no student tried it.

Well maybe I had better check on Youtube - again.

Cornucopia

Bicycles are, in law, carriages (as a consequence of the Taylor v Goodwin judgment in 1879)....

http://www.bikehub.co.uk/featured-articles/cycling-and-the-law/

Interesting to see the cycling people saying that riding bikes on the pavement and parking cars on the pavement are similar hazards when they obviously aren't.

Car_54

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

All that states is that a cycle is not a motor vehicle. It doesn't say that a cycle is a vehicle for the purposes of the RTA.
The DVLA were asked this exact question and this is what they came up with:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/239546/response/592440/attach/2/FOIR4275%20Andy.pdf

The DVLA's answer is correct. "Vehicle" is not defined in the Act, and does not need to be. If the question arises, the courts will look to the dictionary definition.

For example, speed limits on public roads apply to "motor vehicles", so pedal cyclists are exempt. However, the speed limit in the Royal Parks apply to "vehicles", as this cyclist discovered recently. http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/11844876.Cyclist_clocked_at_41mph_admits_speeding_through_Richmond_Park/