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Surrey Police are targeting inconsiderate cyclists in the Box Hill area as the roads become ever more popular for riding.
In the last two days the Police have been handing out leaflets to cyclists that read:
CARELESS & INCONSIDERATE RIDING: If a person rides a cycle, on a road, without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, is guilty of an offence. [sic] £1,000 FINE
A Police spokesperson said that this action was taken due to "quite a lot of anti-social cycling in the area." When asked to confirm what anti-social cycling was they said it applied to those who were riding more than two abreast, or in big groups, and causing cars to slow down.
Rule 66 of the Highway Code states: never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends.
Cycling in groups is not restricted in any way.
The move comes months after PS Simon Cox, Mole Valley Sergeant, contacted several cycling and triathlon clubs in the South East warning them of anti-social and inconsiderate riding.
Part of the letter sent to the clubs reads; 'We have also had increased reports ..... about groups of cyclists blocking roads by cycling in "pelotons". In addition, we have had complaints regarding the inappropriate speed of some cyclists in the narrow and winding lanes around the Surrey Hills.'
It goes on to say that there has been one very serious collision near Box Hill involving a cyclist. Nowhere does it say that any cyclists have committed an offence.
The letter closes by saying; 'Please could I ask you to ensure that your club riders are aware of the complaints we are receiving, to ensure that they do not become subject to complaints themselves.'
Cycling Weekly will be investigating this further over the coming weeks.
Reader comments
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Simon Richardson
September 27 09:12
When you guys talk, people listen. Keep your comments coming in, we love hearing from you. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cyclists-attack-police-harassment-2361334.html
JIm Ross
September 27 11:55
I hear all the comments from cyclists with a degree of sympathy but they all hold one common thread, "the cyclsits have the right to do as they wish on the roads". Please use a little common sense and remember you might be her for a one off pleasant weekend ride. The residents of this area have to put up with the problem every weekend, and at times of mass cycle rides (organised or ad-hoc) I am afraid that the majority of cyclists do block the roads by riding 3 or 4 abreast. The motorists must be aware of cyclists needs but it also must be a two way street
Chris Gerhard
September 27 21:54
I spoke to Inspector Terri Poulton and have written up the conversation on my blog http://wp.me/pyoib-10E
goff greenwood
September 28 09:00
Some police have always made up their own laws about cycling-I was once stopped and made to wheel my bike the two miles home. My offence-not having BOTH hands on the brake levers at all times when climbing a hill ( I was riding fixed gear) Contrast that with the friendly inner city police who patrol on bikes and you realise it's all about ignorance.
Richard Hutchings
September 28 18:07
Little surprise here the police these days are little more than high visibility thugs and bullies looking only to maximise the number of arrests. Cyclists are far more sinned against than sinning as we all know and almost every time one cycles there is an incident involving motorists turning in front of you or leaving insufficient space. I have long since ceased to have any respect for the police who seem to regard cyclists as easy targets.
Ann Cakebread
January 01 18:12
I do wish the Hampshire police in the New Forest National Park would copy the Surrey force and take more interest in the numerous instances of careless, inconsiderate and sometimes dangerous riding by the ever-increasing numbers of riders in sportives and other events, and those training for such events. Parish councils receive numerous reports. Residents reported one cyclist who rode so fast down a steep bumpy hill that he lost control on the cattle grid at the bottom and flew through the air, landing on the bonnet of a stationary car (denting it) which had pulled to one side to allow the cyclists to pass. Another time two cyclists silently descended our 25% hill at top speed, passing close to a young lady leading her horse, causing hooves to flail and the lady to be bruised, although she did manage to prevent the horse dragging her into the ditch. The Police say such incidents are the responsibility of the event organisers, whom we usually have no means of contacting. Our New Forest roads are working roads, mostly single track, used and needed by the local population and commoners caring for their stock (without which the Forest would cease to exist). Unfortunately a great many cyclists don't seem to realise that locals need to use the roads and make no attempt to allow residents to exit their driveways, blocking the road with continuous "pelotons" more than two abreast sometimes for up to half an hour. Do they not realise, for instance, that doctors and nurses often need to make urgent visits to sick patients? One motorist recently patiently followed behind two cyclists side-by-side on a sraight stretch for some way, Eventually he realised he would be late for an appointment and gave a gentle toot, whereupon he was subjected to vile abuse and kicks aimed at his car as he eventually did manage to pass. A commoner was driving his stock, as he has to do every day to be fed, and a large group of riders came up behind him loudly demanding to be allowed to pass - not possible on a single track road. Again, foul abuse and unforgivable kicks and slaps for the animals. Another of our steep hills has a very narrow, sharp completely blind bend at the bottom, from which a cyclist recently emerged head down very fast, causing a local motorist approaching very slowly to throw his car on to the verge to avoid him. Some cycle chat comments suggest that contact between car and cycle should always be the driver's fault: in this case, if the car had been two seconds earlier there would have been no room to avoid a crash. Whose fault would it have been? In the National Park animals have priority, so whose fault was it when a cyclist rode into a cow and broke both his arms? The cow also suffered, of course. Please, cyclists, show consideration to other road users - go single file if necessary, ride slowly in dangerous areas, make the sacrifice of a few seconds added to your timing. We residents are pretty tolerant but having about half of our weekends overrun by huge events (up to 2000 competitors) would be easier to bear if the riders showed us due courtesy.
Only Me
March 10 10:08
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carltonreid/5937441086/ "Motorists Please do not overtake cyclists through pedestrian refuge" Sign in Cheshire ?