http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Hello from Cycle PC en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:00:21 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74819 Sun, 17 Jun 2012 19:04:06 +0000 gembo 74819@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@mkns - we could link this thread to the risky thread and to the thread where alanr is having to push the crime perpetrated against him to get the police to proceed? When there is a crime of dangerous driving perpetrated against a cyclist it is likely to be more serious than the continuous stream of dangerous driving occurring on the roads every day, against other drivers. this is my view, and one shared by several on this forum, however, it is not the view of the police because we do to have strict liability in the UK. If we did we would be in a better position. It may be the case that If we can produce a steady flow of DVDs of dangerous driving against cyclists and hand these in to the police station then we can combine this with a campaign to achieve strict liability. However, the motor industry has worked hard to portray the lethal business of driving as a routine, normal, daily activity so I wouldn't bet on it. Why do other countries have strict liability and we don't? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74816 Sun, 17 Jun 2012 17:20:30 +0000 Kenny 74816@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So ultimately my question is "what is a normal channel" - this is the thing that I need clarification on. The amount of dangerous driving that I witness on my commutes to and from work is such that I could predict needing to be visiting a police station every fortnight if that was the only "normal channel" that existed. Can you therefore identify for us which channels are open to us when we have such videos of incidents?</p> <p>I also don't see the need to put it on DVD or CD-ROM if it's on the internet, since I can give you a URL to view the video? Or do the police refuse to accept video evidence unless it has been burned to physical media for some reason? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74802 Sun, 17 Jun 2012 00:07:55 +0000 Cycle PC 74802@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>mkns - If any incident is caught on a device of some kind, the best thing to do would be to get it on to a computer and/or digital media of some kind (DVD, CD-Rom).</p> <p>Report the incident to the police through one of the normal channels, making mention of the fact that the incident has been recorded. </p> <p>Then as you say, the incident would be looked at by officers and action taken, if applicable.</p> <p>It is impossible for me to say what kind of incident would merit a certain level of action. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74792 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:50:36 +0000 Kenny 74792@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cycle PC: Greetings from myself. I'm also relatively new to the forum, male, married, 3 daughters, just the 2 bikes, although the kids have one each too. Wife can't cycle to save herself.</p> <p>Re: the camera footage, I've had a couple of incidents caught on high def video using a Contour+ camera, and one I took into Drylaw station for your colleagues to view. I was a little surprised that the only action they could take based on the incident was to go have a word with the culprit, which they did and he supposedly offered an apology. The question I have, which I suspect is really somewhat rhetorical, is "do you have to be actually hit by a car for the police to do anything". My two incidents caught on camera were clear examples of dangerous driving, either of which would have seriously injured me if I hadn't been exceptionally fast on my brakes. As I say, I suspect the answer is much the same as your last response: "each incident would have to be reviewed on its own merits". But I thought I'd ask.</p> <p>That all said, my actual question is simpler: if I catch an incident on video, and upload it to the internet somewhere, am I able to report the incident to the police by sending an email or posting a message to you guys somehow, including the link to the video so you can watch at your leisure? Or are your procedures such that I do need to get my ass down to the local nick to show you the video on my iPhone? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74755 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:40:14 +0000 Cycle PC 74755@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Uberuce and Dave RE cameras.</p> <p>Camera footage can, and has been used. There is no difinitive guide to what is and what is not reported. Each incident would have to be reported and then reviewed on its own merits. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74754 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:30:25 +0000 Cycle PC 74754@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wingpig - "When the Bicycle Police are doing their bicycle-specific policing, do they do things like just ride around and along popular cycle-commuting routes during the rush hours as if they were a normal bicycle commuter commuting to their workplace, either specifically in order to police the sort of unpleasant vehicle interactions to which cyclists are particularly subject or just to act as a visible warning against infringements of traffic laws?"</p> <p>Basically, yes and yes, it depends on what their specific task is for that particular day. The bicycles are used by our Safer Neighbourhood Teams and are used just as much for non cycling specific activities. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74753 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:19:13 +0000 Cycle PC 74753@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>mgj - "OK, I'll bite and ask a question; do you think that if as a result of the Carloway review there is the removal of the need for corroboration there will be more opportunity for cyclists to report road traffic offences and have those progressed into reports to the fiscal?"</p> <p>The Carloway Review is an interesting document and puts forward a number of recommendations, one of which refers to corroboration, namely: -</p> <p> - the current requirement for corroboration in criminal cases be abolished; and</p> <p> - in solemn prosecutions where there is no corroboration of testimony, there should be no requirement on the judge to warn the jury of any dangers perceived purely as a consequence of the absence of such corroboration.</p> <p>If these recommendatinos are implemented in full, then yes, there will be more opportunity for cases involving a single witness to progress to court. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74752 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 04:04:03 +0000 Cycle PC 74752@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Fimm - "Two questions:</p> <p>1) Are you aware of the Met. Police's RoadSafe scheme? <a href="http://www.met.police.uk/roadsafelondon/" rel="nofollow">http://www.met.police.uk/roadsafelondon/</a><br /> Is this something that could be considered for the Lothain and Borders force?</p> <p>2) What advice do you have for someone reporting an incident to the police?"</p> <p>I am aware of the Met's scheme and have been in communication with officers from London, and have had a look at their 'Roadsafe' website, and hope to use some of the material in future.</p> <p>If you are reporting an incident to the police, as much detail as possible should be reported e.g. times, locus, speed, details of vehicle, description of driver. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-74048 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:34:12 +0000 Dave 74048@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cycle PC - you probably don't want to get involved in a specific incident, but regarding <a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3748&amp;page=11#post-73898">this hit and run</a> on a member of this forum in general terms only, it might be interesting if you could outline the proper steps that should be taken from the police point of view;</p> <p>- in a case of failing to stop / report, is there a time limit on how long the victim has to report the incident?</p> <p>- how many witnesses are needed, if any, i.e. is there any point reporting a crash where just you and the driver are involved without corroboration?</p> <p>- assuming it goes as far as a statement being taken, then you hear nothing. And nothing, and nothing... how often should the victim try to find out what's going on? What's the best way of doing this?</p> <p>- Are there time limits for prosecution etc. that mean the victim should be careful not to let an investigation slide until the perpetrator is beyond justice?</p> <p>Probably there are loads more, but that's a starter that I think would be valuable to everyone here. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-73984 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 09:48:19 +0000 Kirst 73984@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hello Mr Policeman.</p> <p>I'm Kirsten, not married (in a long-distance relationship), no cats, no kids, lots of plants and a few mice (who are <em>not</em> welcome). I am not cycling much at the moment because I came off on ice just before Christmas, broke a bone in my pelvis, and it's still not right.</p> <p>I would like to ask if it is some sort of police rule that St Leonards police station has to arrest really noisy people on Sunday nights at bed time and then let them shout and bawl for a couple of hours while the local residents (eg me) are trying to sleep. That might not be part of your remit though ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-73977 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 09:38:21 +0000 Cyclist 73977@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Do you still have a bike?</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotsman.com/news/three-police-bikes-stolen-1-2349043" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotsman.com/news/three-police-bikes-stolen-1-2349043</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-73968 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 09:13:48 +0000 Darkerside 73968@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Welcome back and good luck with the queries! We have lots, but then we're also generally near cake and tea, so every cloud/silver lining and all.</p> <p>Re the undercover cycling stuff mentioned above, there's a chunk of IPMBA on it, so it's definitely an accepted technique on the other side of the water. (IPMBA is the American police cycling body who provided training material for UK police/ambulance cycling up until the UK's Public Safety Cycling course got off the ground)</p> <p>Admittedly the ambulance version of the course tends to skip over plain clothes work, so I can't really comment further :p The textbook is highly entertaining though, and includes a bizarre section on the most stable pistol firing positions when mounted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-73965 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 09:00:24 +0000 chdot 73965@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Welcome, back!</p> <p><a href="http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3748&amp;page=11#post-73898">This</a> might 'interest' - not expecting you to do anything, should be all in hand. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-73963 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:51:12 +0000 Cycle PC 73963@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>Apologies for the delay, but everything has now been put in place to allow my continued involvement.</p> <p>I will endeavour to get through all the queries above and post replies as soon as I am able.</p> <p>Thank you all again for your welcome and support. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71933 Thu, 24 May 2012 13:45:18 +0000 Dave 71933@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There have been a few convictions (at least in England) now as a result of camera footage. My impression is more that the police aren't interested in following up on bike collisions unless someone ends up in the New Royal.</p> <p>Case in point - I was hit by an oncoming right-turning driver in the middle of the day. Even worse, it was a hit and run, but two motorists stopped, provided their cards and agreed to witness.</p> <p>As far as I'm aware the driver was never even interviewed.</p> <p>I learned a few lessons from that - the main one being if you're knocked off, however pumped you are at the time, remain on the ground and insist that the police and ambulance attend! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71926 Thu, 24 May 2012 13:38:35 +0000 Uberuce 71926@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If and when you get the go-ahead from the brass, Paul:</p> <p>I've get the impression from the experiences of David Brennan and others that helmet cam footage by itself doesn't seem to make incidents an open and shut case. </p> <p>Is this a perceived deficiency of helmet cams themselves?</p> <p>If so, what steps could manufacturers take to make their products legally admissible?</p> <p>If it is instead a legal weakness in procedure being followed by the owner of the camera during between shooting the footage and submitting it, what steps should be taken to ensure one's footage is admissible? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71754 Wed, 23 May 2012 14:50:12 +0000 Min 71754@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That would be great but I suspect they would not be allowed to stop anyone whilst undercover. That is the case for car polis for sure, there was a recent case where they chased a guy in an unmarked car - he was so worried he rang the Police! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71733 Wed, 23 May 2012 12:47:30 +0000 lionfish 71733@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Someone earlier mentioned undercover policing. It would be awesome if some police ride non-police looking bike (and wear 'civilian' clothes) for an hour or two around Edinburgh: You'll catch several crazy drivers in that time I'd have thought (e.g. at least a punishment pass or two). Even better would be to alert drivers that the police are doing this (via a press release). Then the crazy drivers won't know who to punishment pass/drive off the road/shout abuse at.</p> <p>Welcome to the forum (if you're allowed back!) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71731 Wed, 23 May 2012 12:41:04 +0000 minus six 71731@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>... and the bulky yellow jacket and full length overtrousers look mighty uncomfortable, in this weather</p> <p>bet that the Met cyclists get decent summer wear provided, down in that London... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71715 Wed, 23 May 2012 11:50:42 +0000 steveo 71715@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ride it like its stolen! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71714 Wed, 23 May 2012 11:46:22 +0000 minus six 71714@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just spotted a Cycle Cop on George IV Bridge, operating in what I could only describe as "local mode"</p> <p>Saddle was waaaaay too low down for rider efficiency, and pedalling furiously in wrong gear.</p> <p>Might this be a new recruit out on their first ride?</p> <p>Or perhaps practising style and technique to blend in for undercover operations? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71364 Mon, 21 May 2012 17:40:16 +0000 minus six 71364@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I note that the <em>de facto</em> ASL positioning rule for motor vehicles of all types in Edinburgh is to have your front wheels fully over the line and within the ASL.</p> <p>Is this practise sufficient to confer plausible immunity, like the old "hazard exempts" ruse? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71292 Mon, 21 May 2012 12:26:24 +0000 SRD 71292@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Any chance of some ASZ enforcement near Commie Pool? I came across East Preston St this morning, stopped in ASZ to turn left, and had private hire car pull up into ASZ beside me. I politely told him that he shouldn't be there and got an earful of abuse. By the time the lights changed there were two other female cyclists who ought to have been in the box beside me - one over the stopline in front of him and one slightly behind and to the left, and some others further back behind him. Makes a mockery of the whole thing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71228 Sun, 20 May 2012 20:51:29 +0000 ruggtomcat 71228@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Im not surprised CPC (got his own TLA) has to hang fire, I would not like the keys to that account! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=3#post-71215 Sun, 20 May 2012 13:54:20 +0000 cc 71215@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi Cycle PC,</p> <p>Welcome from me too.</p> <p>The number one thing I'd like to see the police doing to help bicycle users in Edinburgh is enforce the 20mph speed limit, especially in Causewayside &amp; Ratcliffe Terrace. The section of those roads with the 20mph limit is narrow and busy with bicycles, parked cars, delivery vans, buses, pedestrians, supermarket shoppers and lots of motorised through traffic - a very dangerous mix. My subjective experience is that a large proportion of the traffic goes at significantly more than 20mph, and that the police is doing nothing to stop this speeding. Could the police please help to slow down the traffic on this road? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=2#post-71169 Sat, 19 May 2012 13:16:46 +0000 chdot 71169@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> GDS (@GovUK)</p> <p>17/05/2012 10:42<br /> New guidance for civil servants use of social media published. Blog post by @emercoleman here: <a href="http://bit.ly/KSjI9a" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/KSjI9a</a> #socmed</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=2#post-71068 Fri, 18 May 2012 11:25:29 +0000 Stepdoh 71068@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Uberuce: I'd barely make a snack, it's been said of me that "there's mair meat on a butcher's pencil".</p> <p>To be honest, in support of Comms depts, I would be keen to ensure that someone coming on as a representative of an organisation would be communicating in a manner representative of the organisation and keeping to the organisational line.</p> <p>If nothing else doing this way puts our feedback into a context where there is a remote chance it's actually going to be listened to.</p> <p>That's not to say our friendly neighbourhood PC couldn't come on here personally and chat, but it would be in the 'my views are my own' way, rather than anything more official.</p> <p>To be honest, for our purposes having someone in the first camp, despite it being a more limited engagement, is a lot more useful. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=2#post-71066 Fri, 18 May 2012 11:17:04 +0000 spytfyre 71066@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"have to clear my activity on here with our Corporate Communications Department."</em></p> <p>I knew it was too good to be true </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=2#post-71024 Fri, 18 May 2012 08:54:07 +0000 Lezzles 71024@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You can prosecute with only 1 witness so long as there is another piece of corroborating evidence. A CCTV camera for example may pick up on an incident which provides corroboration. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6579&page=2#post-70997 Thu, 17 May 2012 22:53:36 +0000 Cycle PC 70997@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>fatman69 - some offences can be reported by a single witness (minor road traffic). The Carloway Review is what you refer to, about changes coming to Scots Law. This is a review only at this stage, with Lord Carloway making his recommendations to Government. </p>