Undercover police cyclists

Norman_Castle

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2016/sep/16/undercover-bike-cops-launch-best-ever-cycle-safety-scheme-in-birmingham

"" In many cases drivers just aren’t looking out for cyclists.
He said: “The last two drivers we pulled over, we asked: ‘do you know how far away you were from the cyclist’, and they said ‘what cyclist?’”
One of those was the driver of a 7.5 tonne vehicle. ""


http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/shocking-footage-cyclists-crackdown-police-11897479

Nebulous2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b7h29k-2WI

unforeseen

How is this guy going to measure the 1,5m? I assume the driver will be guilty purely on this guy's word that it is less than 1.5m. Is there a benefit of doubt as there will be no calibrated method of measuring. Methinks the first case that decides to go to court will open up a can of worms

The separation is supposed to rise as the speed increases (according to the Grudian article) so is there a sliding scale that the car driver will not be aware of? It looks like WMP deciding a set of arbitrary conditions without recourse to any law especially the distance increasing with speed

martindow

unforeseen wrote: »

How is this guy going to measure the 1,5m? I assume the driver will be guilty purely on this guy's word that it is less than 1.5m. Is there a benefit of doubt as there will be no calibrated method of measuring. Methinks the first case that decides to go to court will open up a can of worms

The separation is supposed to rise as the speed increases (according to the Grudian article) so is there a sliding scale that the car driver will not be aware of? It looks like WMP deciding a set of arbitrary conditions without recourse to any law especially the distance increasing with speed

Maybe they will be filming cars overtaking. Presumably they will only be prosecuting those passing very close to cyclists and a film would show this - 1.5 metres would not have to be measured precisely.

Johno100

Where does 1.5m come from, certainly not in the Highway Code and I know of no law on the statute book that gives such a distance.

unforeseen

Johno100 wrote: »

Where does 1.5m come from, certainly not in the Highway Code and I know of no law on the statute book that gives such a distance.

Its what the WMP have decided is a safe distance, even though the Highway Code only states to give cyclists the same separation as a vehicle when overtaking.

TBH giving 1.5m separation on overtaking another vehicle st nigh on impossible on most roads unless both vehicles have their wheels in the gutters.

Nasqueron

Johno100 wrote: »

Where does 1.5m come from, certainly not in the Highway Code and I know of no law on the statute book that gives such a distance.

1.5m is classed as a safe distance to allow for the bike to wobble over without hitting the vehicle or going under the wheels.

The HC says you should leave the saame space passing a bike as if you were passing a car (so at least 1m for a door opening)

1.5m is used as law in some places like Australia

custardy

Johno100 wrote: »

Where does 1.5m come from, certainly not in the Highway Code and I know of no law on the statute book that gives such a distance.

The reality is you are more likely to get a fine for this than a penalty for killing a cyclist.....

SailorSam

That's a good idea having undercover Police. The other thread we've got going about using your mobile while driving. That would be a good way to catch them.

[Deleted User]

West Midland Police did take legal proceedings against 38 of the worst of the offenders. I just hope other Police forces around the country take up their stance and plant a few undercover cyclists. I do see the Police on cycles in the Doncaster area fairly often but they are highly recognisable and all the motorists take much care in passing them. Different matter when they go undercover.They will soon see the truth about the motorist and what they think of cyclists getting in their way. We really need the protection of the law being enforced for intimidation of cyclists.

brat

sacsquacco wrote: »

I just hope other Police forces around the country take up their stance and plant a few undercover cyclists.].

I'd love that job. It'd see me through to retirement nicely!