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Pulled by the fuzz

by therealsmallboy
Tue, Apr 02, 2013 22:42
41

You're not gonna believe this.

On a club ride out of Sheffield, into Derbyshire and back again this evening the following occured:

When we were on the road between Hathersage and Calver, just after turning right at the junction in Grindleford- we were pulled over by a police car.

I say pulled over, but what actually happened was he wound down his passenger window, turned on his blues and started screaming at us that we had to ride single file- I shouldn't need to explain that we took exception to this.

So, after some exchange of words through the window of a moving police car, he pulled over and we obliged by stopping with him to see what ill-informed gems of made up law that he had up his sleeve. And gems they were.

He started by puffing out his chest and shouting "right then, who was it that had a problem?", which was (a threatening and b) wholly uncalled for. He went on to shout and spit about the highway code saying that cyclists had to ride single file and that we were in the wrong. We all know this is bollocks and tried to point this out to him, but he'd clearly made up his mind.

He then went on to say that he had it all on camera so I asked to see it, he put it on the dashboard screen and I watched the back of a bus for 3 minutes- not a cyclist in site. Apparently we were "all over the road", even though he couldn't actually see us and we were riding 2-by-2.

Then the cracker came- what I believe is a made-up story. PC ' I am the law' recently attended a coroners hearing about a car that had made a dangerous overtake move on a blind bend and killed a kid in a car on the other side of the road that it crashed into. The nugget is that he blamed it on a cyclist on the inside that had- and I quote- "made the driver do it"!!!!!!

It was eventually diffused when we pointed out that we were actually blocking the road now and that we disagree with everything he was saying. Surely, if we'd committed an offence at least one of us would have been booked?

I think this is a simple case of someone in a car (this time a copper no less) getting frustrated at being held up and taking it out on the easiest, most vulnerable target. Us. It would be nice if they'd teach our police officers the law, so that when they attempt to relay it to unwary 'offenders' that they actually got it right.

Just another case of the abuse of perceived power and the harassment and victimization of innocent cyclists.

A complaint will be duly posted with the IPCC. If the other 4 riders would like to be included I think that will help prevent this ill-informed bully from picking on any more cyclists for taking in part in the sport that they love.

More to come........

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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41 comments

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netclectic | 11 years ago
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The highway code is pretty vague at best in it's coverage of cycling. Here is the current wording from https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/overview-59-to-71

"never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends"

All he has to say to justify his actions is that he is of the opinion the road was narrow. I suspect your complaint will fall on deaf ears.

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therealsmallboy | 11 years ago
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Yeah, I was thinking that too. Just the 4 or 5 pages relating to cycling, reduced down onto one A4 page and folded up in my pocket. Just in case.

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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Christ. It's getting to the point that I'm wondering whether to have a copy of the highway code on me.

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mad_scot_rider replied to notfastenough | 11 years ago
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notfastenough wrote:

Christ. It's getting to the point that I'm wondering whether to have a copy of the highway code on me.

A thought occurs - is it possible to get the highway code in PDF or eBook format? - which would allow it to be carried on my phone

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Al__S | 11 years ago
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Ride single file. In the Primary position. Demonstrate how much harder that is to overtake...

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therealsmallboy | 11 years ago
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Thanks for the comments guys,

It was definitely a case of PC littledick, stuck behind a bus and feeling that he'd lost control of a situation- so we copped the blame!

Being advised to ride single file is often well-founded, but would have been the wrong advice there too, as it's a 'normal' road with a broken white line down the middle, but with no cycleway and a solid wall on the outside right up against the road. If we conceded to riding single file we'd be going against all modern thinking and DFT advice about defending your space. It would encourage drivers to make an unsafe overtake and possibly squash us straight into the wall. Better to stay put.

Unfortunately we didn't get his number or reg. I think we were in a mixed state of adrenaline and surprise and didn't think to ask. That's my biggest regret about it all, but the Police track their vehicles don't they? We know what time it was and our GPS data can show exactly where....

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Hypoglycaemic | 11 years ago
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Did you get the pc's number? Report him officially and get an apology. If police can't do their job we are all in trouble.

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mike_ibcyclist | 11 years ago
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Just remember local plods are lucky to have the odd A-level in wood work, they don't know the highway code until a barrister rips them apart in court.

Horrible situation, an educated PC could have suggested riding in single file if they believed both cars and riders would be safer, but the lecture and the assumed wrong-doing are completely out of order. He'll no doubt get a ticking off and if he's good he'll realise that he did the wrong thing and if he's not he'll hold a grudge forever.

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Mostyn replied to mike_ibcyclist | 11 years ago
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mike_ibcyclist wrote:

Just remember local plods are lucky to have the odd A-level in wood work, they don't know the highway code until a barrister rips them apart in court.

Horrible situation, an educated PC could have suggested riding in single file if they believed both cars and riders would be safer, but the lecture and the assumed wrong-doing are completely out of order. He'll no doubt get a ticking off and if he's good he'll realise that he did the wrong thing and if he's not he'll hold a grudge forever.

Mike, I agree! They don't call them "Wooden-tops" for no-reason.

A suggestion from the PC that it would be far safer to cycle in single file on that particular road; would surely have been appreciated far more than being shouted at, or lectured incorrectly on a point of law and the highway code.

Numpty probably will hold a grudge; I'm never wrong PC nod!

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gazza_d | 11 years ago
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Was it PC littledick by any chance?

Making a complaint is fully the correct course of action. I would also copy in your local Chief Constable and the PCC.

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37monkey | 11 years ago
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...........

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