30 mph speed limit for bikes?

This is the first thread I have started, Before anyone gets the arse ache I have used the search thingy and this other thing I found called 'google' and have not got a satisfactory answer so the fountain of knowledge that is LFGSS is the next obvious step.

Right, whilst reading about the roofing tacks sabotage disaster that was the Etape Caledonia in May this year I came across comments stating that there is a 30 mph speed limit in the UK for bicycles.
I have never heard of this before, indeed I have heard of people being ticked off by a copper for exceeding 30 in a 30 limit and also of someone being fined for being caught above 30 in a 30 limit by a manned speed trap. But never for just exceeding 30mph.
Highway code has nothing on this apart from the obvious stick to the speed limit for all vehicles.
Lorries and coaches have different speed limits to the rest of the road users but can anyone throw any light on the bikes issue?

How would you enforce a 30mph speed limit on a cyclist exceeding 30mph ?

As far as I know (and a quick google hasn't brought up quite the chapter and verse I expected) there are no hard and fast speed limits for bikes except where bylaws apply, such as in Royal Parks. Thus, one can't be done for exceeding 30mph on the road, but can be done for exceeding 20mph in Richmond Park.

How do you know if you're going 30mph if you don't have a speedometer?

^in my case it would be the onset of a heart attack that would give it away.

Hmmm ... Greenwich Park have coppers every now and then with those speed guns thingys stationed near the bottom of the hill where cyclists easily reach 30 + mph - if they've ever clocked me I've never heard any more about it ....

sounds stuuupid

• expect to see adverts about "if you hit a child at 20mph insted of 30mph on a bicycle....." in a few months time"
  
  

I think if you can do 30mph then police should stop you and give you street cred* for actually being able to spin 30mph.
*yes dats right, if you elect me, I will introduce bicycle licenses where you get street cred points

speeding shouldn't be prosecuted it should be encouraged, maybe for once people would fucking get somewhere in the morning.

^ I will be the first to apply for said licence. If I elect you can I have points put on straight away please?

As far as I know (and a quick google hasn't brought up quite the chapter and verse I expected) there are no hard and fast speed limits for bikes except where bylaws apply, such as in Royal Parks. Thus, one can't be done for exceeding 30mph on the road, but can be done for exceeding 20mph in Richmond Park.

Steff is right, normal road speed limits do not apply to bikes. You can however still be done for 'reckless endangerment', ffs!

^ I will be the first to apply for said licence. If I elect you can I have points put on straight away please?

yes but they come in exchange for cash or c**ksucking

I've only seen this implemented in Richmond Park even then you're unlucky to get busted. Maybe its a royal parks thang.

I had assumed speed limits apply to all vehicles, I guess not...

never been caught "speeding" nor has anyone ever mentioned anything.

i think we're safe..

I dont reckon I ever get upwards of 30mph round this crazy traffic city....
take it easy for life!

It's only for motor vehicles.
Richmond park has a byelaw.

You can do >30 down Holland Park Ave, Hyde Park Corner underpass and on the East Drinks TT

You can do >30 down Holland Park Ave, Hyde Park Corner underpass and on the East Drinks TT

And down Muswell Hill, but I wouldn't reccommend it, by the last hump you're definitely gonna catch some air and fuck landing downhill at 30+

30 mph sounds scary. If you go that fast, can you still actually breathe?

Motor vehicles have to have a speedometer that displays the speed to within 10% accuracy by law.That's why speed cameras are always set a bit higher than the posted limit. Although accuracy isn't tested at MOT it's part of the Construction and Use regs.There's no legal requirement for a speedo to be fitted to a cycle and therefore no indication to the rider of their speed. Hence speed limits cannot be enforced on cyclists. However you can be nicked for riding like a cunt in such a way as to endanger other road users or walkengers.

Peace

Kurt

Motor vehicles have to have a speedometer that displays the speed to within 10% accuracy by law.That's why speed cameras are always set a bit higher than the posted limit. Although accuracy isn't tested at MOT it's part of the Construction and Use regs.There's no legal requirement for a speedo to be fitted to a cycle and therefore no indication to the rider of their speed. Hence speed limits cannot be enforced on cyclists. However you can be nicked for riding like a cunt in such a way as to endanger other road users or walkengers.

Peace

Kurt

Spot on there, exactly what I was about to post...

It is however worth noting section 29 of the road traffic act. It states:

1. If a person rides a cycle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, he is guilty of an offence.
   
   

It is worth noting that in this section "road" includes a bridleway.

How would you enforce a 30mph speed limit on a cyclist doing 30mph ?

You couldn't - as the cyclist wouldn't be exceeding the speed limit.
Sheesh...

by driving a vehicle in front to make sure he didn't exceed the 30mph (by more than 10%)

i always thought that bicycles were subject to posted speed limits, same as other vehicles.

i always thought that bicycles were subject to posted speed limits, same as other vehicles.

donno i always go 27 in 20mph areas.

i think the rule is you can speed on a bicycle, just do it sensibly.

i get over 30 mph every now and then having a laugh at pizza mopeds maxing out to then getting owned by me. the mere enjoyment lets me grow wings from time to time. if getting anythhing for that, it should be a public announcement of some sort for fitness (*last page of london light or sth at the end but hey!) so one caries no speedometer on bikes (usually) ergo one cannot be fined for an exact speed. cops could pull me aside and may tell me "too fast, we don't want to scrape you off..." but that's as far as it could go from where i stand.

You can do >30 down Holland Park Ave, Hyde Park Corner underpass and on the East Drinks TT

I can do >30mph on any flat piece of road without a headwind. Not for very long, unfortunately.