Cycling in pedestrian areas ?

[Haku]

I've only had hassle from police on a few occasions in the past decade for cycling on pavements, both times it was half because it was night time and I didn't have lights, the last time (about 3-4 years ago) the policeman got out of his car & blocked my path and asked "are you taking the ****?", I was so I acted polite and curteous so they wouldn't have any further reason to give me grief.
However I've often been seen by police riding on pavements, daytime & nighttime but never been stopped - probably because I only do so away from the town center where there's less people anyway, part of me has been waiting for them to stop me at night and ask "where's your lights?" (because my lights are embedded in the reflectors) to which I have my front wheel already pointed in their direction and flick the switch on my handlebars

 

[Footie]

My Nephew was challenged while stopped at a set of traffic lights on his pushbike one evening. However, it was an unwarranted challenge, as it soon became apparent that the copper knew nothing about bicycles.
He got my Nephew to get off his bike and move onto the pavement with it. He then demanded; “Where are your lights?”.
My Nephew is the type of person that tends to react strongly to stupidity. I think it's a family trate. He picked up the back wheel and spun the pedals, where upon the lights bust into life.
Looked squarely at the copper and replied. “There dynamo Dipstick.”
He got a telling off for calling him a Dipstick – but in truth he was right
.

 

[flecc]

He picked up the back wheel and spun the pedals, where upon the lights bust into life.
Looked squarely at the copper and replied. “There dynamo Dipstick.”
He got a telling off for calling him a Dipstick – but in truth he was right
.

And what an illustration of how much cycling has disappeared in Britain. Over 50 years ago with few cars about and the roads swarming with bikes, this would have been universal knowledge to anyone out of a pram.
.

 

[keithhazel]

He picked up the back wheel and spun the pedals, where upon the lights bust into life.
Looked squarely at the copper and replied. “There dynamo Dipstick.”
He got a telling off for calling him a Dipstick – but in truth he was right
.[/QUOTE]

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in reality who is really the "dipstick"...the policeman who "didnt"see any lights working while the bike was ata standstill....or the adult who lets out a child on a bike in the dark with lights that only work when you are moving, when i turn the last bend befor turning right to go down "hurst lane" if there is oncoming traffic i have to stop in the road,if my lights (3 sets) where not flashing at all times then any fast moving cars coming round the bend behind me in the dark would plough through me,dynamo lights are a great "extra" lights...just as my "free lights"are..which actually flash for up to 5 minutes after the wheels stop turning..the "dipstick" was not the copper but the childs parents and the child....

 

[nigel]

I suppose thats the problem with dynamo lights great when you are moving not much good when you have stop still any kind of light is better then none i guess it comes down to personal choice.nigel.

 

[flecc]

I suppose thats the problem with dynamo lights great when you are moving not much good when you have stop still any kind of light is better then none i guess it comes down to personal choice.nigel.

Some of the better and more expensive ones have standlights that stay on for a while after stopping. Often it's just the important rear light that stays on, but sometimes it's both.

I don't think most bike lights show up well though, particuarly in town where there's a sea of other lights and dipped vehicle headlights. Then bikes are just as easily not seen by night as by day, and I avoid all after dark riding.
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[rooel]

While Footie's nephew was being challenged by the policeman I wonder how many drivers jumped red lights, while using their mobile phones, fiddling with radios, or satnavs, or lighting a cigarette, while probably under the influence of drink?