mjr wrote: ↑25 Aug 2021, 1:09pm
That is not by itself justification for misuse of that sign, which would usually indicate that cycling is not allowed on any of the highway there, including the adjacent carriageway. I have also seen it used incorrectly in place of a blue sign in Norfolk (and had it replaced).
If the opening poster has been fined for failing to obey that sign (rather than directly for cycling on the footway), they should get off on a technicality.
To expand on what mjr has said, that sign generally should be used to indicate prohibition of cycling made under an order or byelaw, acording to the
Traffic Signs Manual. I don't think that there is anything that prevents it from being used to indicate no cycling on the pavement, but it is not clear where cycling is prohibited.
If it's not indicating a prohibition under a traffic regulation order (TRO) or byelaw, it is not being used correctly. If it is indicating a prohibition under a TRO or byelaw, it should be clearer where cycling is prohibited.
Considering that the google van filmed cyclists on the pavement, I would suppose that it is common, and an engineer somewhere has decided that this is a problem, and A SIGN WILL FIX EVERYTHING, when in reality, there is no legal basis for the sign.
UKcyclistnewby wrote: ↑24 Aug 2021, 6:36pm
I just got a FPN for cycling on the pavement outside Hammersmith station. The Hammersmith roundabout is really large and busy without a segregated bicycle path so I feel it is much too dangerous to cycle on the road. There's also a very confusing pedestrian/cyclist traffic light that goes onto the pavement so I genuinely thought I was allowed to cycle there. For the minute or so during my commute that I cycle on the pavement, I always cycle very slowly and keep a lot of space between me and pedestrians. Is it worth appealing this or is it lost money?
It may be worth fighting.
The law is pretty clear about not cycling on the pavement, but IMO, it's not clear in that particular place because of the shared use facility that leads onto it.
I would advise you, if you wish to appeal it, to obtain legal advice. Certainly, do not ignore the penalty. I believe that you can only plead "not guilty" if you request a court hearing. Perhaps one of our members with more knowledge about such things will be along to comment.
If you are a member of Cycling UK, they may be willing to assist you in this matter. If you aren't, it may be worth ringing them, anyway for advice.
The Cyclists' Defence Fund has supported cases like this in the past, e.g. the case of Kristian Gregory who was given a FPN for riding on the pavement when he strayed from a sub-standard cycle path. CDF supported Kristian’s claim that prosecuting him was not in the public interest and that the contradictory signage at the location made it impossible to tell what is legal.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom