London council starts issuing speeding fines to cyclists

"Local resident Ed Owen told the media outlet he had been riding his bike to work last week when he was pulled over by the police force, which is separate from the Metropolitan Police. Officers told him that their speed camera had recorded him travelling at 16mph in the 12mph zone and issued him with a fine. Mr Owen said officers had received complaints from dog walkers that cyclists had been riding their bikes too quickly."

"In the UK, there is no general legal speed limit for bicycles on public roads, as statutory speed limits apply only to motorised vehicles. However, some local authorities still have historic byelaws in force that set limits on cycling speeds in specific areas. After raising concerns, Mr Owen's fine was rescinded. It struck me this was a very confrontational way to do this, he told London Centric. Maybe they should cycle around and show people what 12mph looks like."

"The route, he said, used to have separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians up until a few years ago when it was turned into a shared path. Wandsworth park's police said they had been responding to complaints from the Friends of Tooting common, who recently published a letter saying there is a particular problem with delivery drivers and urged the council to increase speed checks in the area."

Wandsworth Council began issuing speeding fines to cyclists on a popular south west London commuter route after police monitored speeds on a shared path. A local resident was stopped when officers' speed camera recorded him at 16mph in a 12mph zone following complaints from dog walkers. The route formerly had separate cycle and pedestrian lanes before being turned into a shared path. Friends of Tooting Common reported problems with delivery drivers and urged increased speed checks. After raising concerns, the cyclist's fine was rescinded. UK statutory speed limits apply only to motorised vehicles, though some local byelaws still limit cycling speeds; Royal Parks promoted a considerate cycling campaign asking cyclists not to exceed 20mph.

Read at www.standard.co.uk