Cyclists exceeding 20mph speed limit labelled "anti-social"
"A city crime commissioner has identified a new trend of cyclists breaching the 20mph car speed limit – a law intended to protect vulnerable road users such as cyclists.
Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Graham Bright told Radio Cambridge: "Now we've got a new issue. Now that we've got a 20mph limit in the city, it's more than possible. I've seen it myself, by driving at 20, you get cyclists overtaking you."
Currently UK speed limits apply to motor vehicles only – with a couple of exceptions – and mean cyclists can't be punished for breaching the limit. However numerous cities around the UK are introducing widespread 20mph zones, meaning the phenomenon of cyclists overtaking cars could spread. "
(More at above link).
I agree with the first comment: "Hmmm, plenty of 20 limits round here, I stick to them whether I'm on the bike or in the car. Who's travelling a meaningful distance through town at more than 20 on a bike anyway, easy enough to back off for a bit isn't it?"
It's really about time that speed limit signs did apply to cyclists too, with the proviso that unless they could be charged under existing legislation, they would only be given a verbal warning for clearly exceeding the limit seeing as we don't have calibrated speedos the way motor vehicles have. I don't think it would be appropriate to fine someone because they have a speedo or GPS fitted as they an easily give out spurious readings at tmes and so could mislead a rider as to their actual pace.
But if a bike passes vehicles who are clearly observing a 20 zone, I have no problem with them being pulled over for a polite word or two. I observe speed limits because it's the sensible thing to do, otherwise I'd feel like one of those drivers who says it's ok to speed at night because the road is (supposedly) empty.
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