Police spotting (junction watch)

"Two independent, mechanical means of braking" - avoids the confusion of what is a brake.

You can't have just a rear rim/disc brake on a fixed gear bike.

http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/construction-use

"The basic requirement is for two efficient braking systems, by which the front wheel (or wheels) can be braked independently of the rear wheel (or wheels)."

And looking at the relevant legislation:-

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1983/1176/pdfs/uksi_19831176_en.pdf

Specifically Reg 7(1)b(i) and 7(1)b(ii).

7(1)b(i) is:-

if it is so constructed that one or more of the wheels is incapable of rotating independently of the pedals, be equipped with a braking system operating on the front wheel or, if it has more than one front wheel, on at least two front wheels;

If you don't class fixed gear as "one or more of the wheels is incapable of rotating independently of the pedals" then 7(1)b(ii) specifically requires a front and a rear brake.

Either way you must have a front brake.

So misinformation. Much ignorance. Too dogma.

green-on-green violence

7(1)b(i) is talking about a fixed wheel bike. So you only need one (front) brake. It's not talking about a bike with direct drive, which require no brakes.

Yes, that's what I said. Maybe I should have said:-

If you don't class fixed gear as "one or more of the wheels is incapable of rotating independently of the pedals" then 7(1)b(ii) specifically requires a front and a rear brake (and the rear 'brake' could be due to the fixed gear itself).

Either interpretation you need a front brake.

My point was that some people on the previous page boldly stated that fixed gear and rear brake was legal, which it isn't.

Hmm, I was one... And for that I'm truly sorry.

#hasfreewheelwithonebrake
#policeisjokes
#inogetcatched

Single car police road block right now on New Cross Road - westbound at Old Kent Road/Queens Road junction. Angry drivers, u-turners and rubberneckers, watch out.

It looks like they are trying to force a chase onto the OKR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHMLMKE1tOk

Was 'told off' by two PCSOs this morning at junction of Chelsea Bridge and Chelsea Embankment (headed towards the centre of London) for using the ASB - I was on a bicycle.

They told me that as there wasn't a picture of a bicycle in the box I should use the rear stop line and not the advanced one. I was a little bit confused (but could see what they were saying) and told them I thought what they were saying was ridiculous etc. and they werre hgod natured about it. They weren't trying to fine me - that'll be tomorow I suspect but I would think they are on shaky ground if they tried. Is this legit?
Given I was filtering slowy up the LHS of stationary traffic I coulsn't see there wasn't a picture of a cycle.

They were there to hand out leaflets saying cars shouldn't use the ASB. They were, of course, handing them to cyclists...

Looks like operation safeway is back

Lot's of police at the main junctions in Wimbledon and Kingston - And a lorry had been pulled over near hampton court

They told me that as there wasn't a picture of a bicycle in the box I should use the rear stop line and not the advanced one.

Obviously, it would be the fault of the highway authority (Transport for London) in the first place for applying incorrect markings, but the absence of a bicycle symbol in itself isn't a reason for riders not to be able to use the advanced stop line area.

Both ASL zones that I can see don't have a cycle symbol (on the Chelsea Bridge Road approach, a cycle symbol seems to have been burned off, and on the eastbound Chelsea Embankment approach, there doesn't seem to have been one (just going by StreetView, which may of course be out of date)) have a short length of angled dashed line at the nearside, through which it is lawful for any vehicle that fits to proceed, i.e. pedal cycles and motorcycles, as it is not part of a stop line.

As with any other ASL, if you actually cross the stop line (as opposed to an entrance like the angled dashed lines) at red (which, of course, everybody does all the time), you're technically committing an offence, anyway, and this is never enforced as it would be an impossible nonsense. The PCSOs would have been correct had the stop line been solid all the way along, without the angled line (which should really be applied to the beginning of a full lead-in lane the length of the average car queue, but because TfL usually prefers cramming in more motor traffic stacking lanes rather than cycle lanes, such lead-in lanes are often not provided or not the length of the average car queue).

Hope that was a little clearer than mud. ASLs are a messy idea and basically don't work whichever way you look at them.

They were there to hand out leaflets saying cars shouldn't use the ASB. They were, of course, handing them to cyclists...

If the leaflet says use the box keep it in your bag and have fun with replying "I was instructed to do this by a police officer, here is the instructions I was given"

Seeing as we're being technical...

If there is no bicycle picture, then the markings are not compliant with the TSRGD Schedule 6 1001.2*, so there is no advanced stop line, just markings on a road ahead of the actual stop line.

Meaning that if you cross it on a red light, you are committing an offence.

Of course, if there is a cycle lane, and the first stop line is broken by the cycle lane, then it is not a stop line at all, again just markings on the road.

Meaning that anyone can cross the line at any time, and no offence is committed.

* This stuff gets me so hot

Operation Servator

The City of London Police (CoLP) continues to pioneer new and innovative tactics to deter terrorist and criminal activity through Project Servator.
With the increased terrorist threat level officers from the CoLP and British Transport Police working with security officers from hundreds of business are helping to ensure a ‘ring of steel’ around the square mile.
The public will see highly visible yet unpredictable deployments of specialist trained officers across the City of London.
The operation is supported by a poster campaign which challenges the public to be the eyes and ears of the fight against crime and terrorism.
Specialist teams of officers trained in spotting suspicious behaviours will be out across the City, including in the transport hubs, to support the operation.
The tactics, developed and trialled as part of a three-year research programme, are key to the success of Project Servator and were adopted by Police Scotland for Commonwealth Games.
Project Servator began in February and has already led to impressive results with 74 arrests and 30 cars seized thus far.
On one occasion in Aldgate a vehicle was stopped and the male driver was found to be wanted by Interpol for firearms and burglary offences in Romania. He has since been deported.
Commander Wayne Chance of City of London police said "We are continually developing our tactics to ensure the City of London is safe from crime and acts of terrorism.
"The public rightly expect officers to be visible, but those who aim to commit crime or acts of terrorism should know that plains clothes officers and CCTV are part of everyday policing in the City of London.
"The 300,000 strong community that makes up the City of London can be the extra eyes and ears to deter terrorism and detect crime.
The public are urged to call 101 if they spot anyone acting suspiciously.
In an emergency call 999
For non emergencies call 101
For the Anti Terrorist Hotline call 0800 789 321
http://www.met.police.uk/so/at_hotline.htm

City of London Police and BTP have commenced Phase 2 of Operation Servator today. This phase is timed to lead up to National Counter Terrorism Awareness Week which starts on 24 November.
Servator is a high visibility operation where public behaviour is observed by plain clothes officers in close proximity. The uniformed deployments, which includes 'Griffin' trained security guards, are identifiable by the red 'A' boards explaining the activity is part of a specific operation. Officers will give out flyers to raise public awareness.

The deployments are random in nature and will include transport hubs.
This morning Servator resources deployed to the environs of Liverpool Street Station. Police activity was noticeable around The Fulcrum and on Bishopsgate. This was not due to any specific threat or cause for concern.

Sus by the backdoor then.

Seems ridiculous. For whom does the ASB exist if not cyclists/cars? Just for the lols I assume.

2 community support officers stopping cyclists at tower bridge rd junction with Grange rd this morning, tuesday

Police appear to be pulling over lorries on Park Lane this morning and doing safety checks

It looked as if the police were checking HGVs on Park Lane yesterday. Good to see.

I had a long chat with one of the sergeants involved with Operation Safeway; he kindly phoned me after I sent an email enquiry to the Met. I've condensed my questions and his responses, hopefully accurately and certainly without comment (spoiler: it doesn't include anything about brakeless...):

Q: Why are officers stopping people for not having helmets etc.? This isn't illegal.
A: It's the same as officers telling people to keep their phones out of sight at cafe tables in tourist areas; it's a preventative measure.

Q: Why don't officers fine car drivers who cross the ASL, even when lights are red?
A: Operation Safeway has fined people for this, but ASLs aren't always a good idea and we don't think they really work. Technically, if a cyclist crosses the ASL anywhere but through the hatches next to the footway, they've also broken the law.

Q: Why don't officers speak to pedestrians who cross the road in moving traffic?
A: It's not illegal.

Good point, I went to a cafe without a helmet and an asylum seeker stole my head.

"The Met. We enforce the law, unless we don't like the law".

A: It's not illegal.

But nor is going helmetless?

http://www.bartleby.com/100/420.47.html