Sam Nichols Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Friend of a friend just got one of these this morning.I remember from working at my LBS that by law we had to sell new bicycles with bells fitted, but seriously, who actually uses bells nowadays?This is one of those pathetic laws that have little place in today's society.. I mean think about modern cars and how much money is spent making them like little bubbles that isolate you from the world around you. Could you even hear a bicycle bell from inside one of these whilst in rush hour traffic?In fact the only time I see cyclists over here (Guernsey) using bells is if they're kids riding along gleefully irritating all present by ringing them constantly OR if they are trying to get the attention of walkers who are on the cycle paths..Either way, the constable who issued this ticket needs to ask himself "Is this what all that training was for?".Pathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Legally bikes on the road have to have bells, working brakes, reflectors, lights if riding at night and you need to have passed your cycling proficiency.If you ask me we get it incredibly easy, you can't even get away with loud cans or little number plates on motorbikes any more, and you've got everything else they want.I feel sorry for the guy getting one, but it's the risk you take, if you don't like it just push your bike everywhere, or just accept the risk and carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I would go spare. Muel stop being so rational thats a f**king awful reason to get a ticket... im going to do some research Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muel Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I'd go spare aswell, the rozzer was clearly being an arse, I'm just saying thems the rules, either take the risk and don't cry if you get burnt, or don't ride on the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I would have tryed to escape, at times like this there is no point being rational. Not like you have a licence plate. DO ONE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamtrials Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I would have tryed to escape, at times like this there is no point being rational. Not like you have a licence plate. DO ONE!Recently Telford police tried to stop some young boys riding a pedal go kart down a footpath, the boys just tried to do one, and some how a full on police chase with a load of cop cars and the helicopter ensued. There was a big thing about it in the paper, all the local residents thought there had been a murder or something with so many cops everywhere.The boys actually managed to get away too, they ditched the kart in a field and ran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Booth Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I don't know why, but I'd love to be in the 'Island Police'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew62 Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 It'd not even clear what the offense was - the PC's handwriting is terrible. I'd claim that the offense was unlegible - like if a speeding ticket isn't signed it cannot be fullfilled. Having said that most cops who have stopped me have been reasonable apart from one who stopped me outside a church (whilst i was sitting having a drink - not riding and by myself)....... for the crime of...... ''attacks against the church''. Apparently what i was doing (not sure what that was) could be seen as offensive by those who are religiously inclined and that this time i was only getting a warning. I just laughed it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzo Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I got the same fine for having no lights...twice I don't know where I can put lights on a trials bike without them getting smashed up though.Eventually it all ended in a written anti-social behaviour warning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Nichols Posted May 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 It'd not even clear what the offense was - the PC's handwriting is terrible. I'd claim that the offense was unlegibleI don't think that would stand up in court to be fair.It reads.." No warning instrumentPedal cycle " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Manual Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I don't know why, but I'd love to be in the 'Island Police'.I think the novelty would wear off. Most people imagine the police hq to be a quaint little Heartbeatesque house with do-gooding coppers roaming around the island getting cats out of trees and shit. That's all bollocks. They're nazis (as you can see by the above). Well, to be fair, not all of them are - but most! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Nichols Posted May 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I got the same fine for having no lights...twice I don't know where I can put lights on a trials bike without them getting smashed up though.Lights are a completely different ball park though, lights are a lot more important than a bell..You can get safety lights which keep you covered and are ideal for trials bikes and bmxes - HEREVery cheap too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishy Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Surely your voice is way louder than a bell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyseemonkeydo Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Did they take his name or anything? Without any kind of identification a bike's a bike and they can't do anything surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Manual Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 That's what I was wondering. I reckon the name and contact details are on the other side of the ticket though. I received a £30 fine for hopping on to a pavement on a main road and going around a car that was stood still during rush hour. Yeah, technically it's illegal, but surely the police can apply some common sense to a situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisboats Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I had one try and harass me about reflectors recently while going through town on my trials bike. I was sat down having a drink and he just walked up to me and was telling me he was going to issue a fine. I mean for christs sake, i'd been sat there for about 15 minutes and wasn't on the bike... for all it's worth it might as well have been shopping bags.Luckily he was an idiot and actually fell for the "oh crikey (point behind you)" and i dashed off on the bike. I'm not getting fined for no reflectors... sod that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Luckily he was an idiot and actually fell for the "oh crikey (point behind you)" and i dashed off on the bike. I'm not getting fined for no reflectors... sod that. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 You actually sorta got off lightly, in a sense. It's to do with your bike not being road-worthy, and they can do you for either £60 or £70 for that. It's one of the two - I can't remember which 'cos each policeman/woman who's told me off for riding my BMX around town has told me a different number. Pretty sure it's £70 though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgun_Donor Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I don't think that would stand up in court to be fair.It reads.." No warning instrumentPedal cycle "Do you have the traditional trial brake.... which makes a massive noise when pulled? Surely thats enough of a warnng to people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Nichols Posted May 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 It wasn't me who got the fine.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 It wasn't me who got the fine..Don't be pedantic. I'll quote it down here to make it easier for you to answer properly.Does your friends friend have the traditional trial brake.... which makes a massive noise when pulled? Surely thats enough of a warnng to people? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Nichols Posted May 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 (edited) I have no idea what type of bike the friend of my friend rides but it's definitely not a trials bike, more than likely some cheap mountain bike.I don't consider what I said to be pedantic. Nowt wrong with a pedant anyway. Edited May 8, 2009 by nichols_sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_zoo Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 In scunthorpe we have 3 warnings for your bike then after that you get a fine and your bike crushed and they tell you to come and see it get crushed they give you a date for it It's so stupid the law theses days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Scarlet Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I know its a legal requirement for bikes to be sold with bells but had absolutely no idea that its law to have one (and I've been working in a bike shop for the past 2 years!).It is ridiculous if you ask me, I find bells one of the most patronising noises about (when used on a bike at least), I find it much more curtious to just say "Excuse me can I get through...Thank you", not an audible PING that suggests "Watch out BIKE!".And its not like it can be used the same as a car horn, just because of the volume of the noise created, its bollocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si-man Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 I know, you hear the noise of the bell and think "shit, granny out of control, diiiive!" Fit an air horn, if they can't hear you then tough. Shouldn't be riding fast on the pavement anyway. Mates dads a copper, pulled a cyclist the other day and gave him a speeding fine LOL. 40 in a 30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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