We’ve sort of discussed this before but I’m still not clear on what are the actual rules about riding our bikes at the moment? I don’t mean the morals or the “if I have an accident” issues, but the actual rules. I ask because I have to go into work soon to pick some files up. I work 35 miles away & will use the car because of the accident issue above. It just isn’t worth the risk for me but if I did ride there, would I be breaking the law? Would I be likely to be fined? That bugger on the R1 near my road must be out of milk again as he’s just razzed past my road again
I’ve seen more bikes out in Kent over the past month than I would expect on a summers day. I’d do the same if I had a road bike
If you are engaged in "essential travel", the Law does not discriminate between cars and motorbikes (or horses) ... even if forum members do : o )
Yes that’s kind of a hidden point in my post. For me, this is essential travel. I’ve barely used the car in the last 2 months & haven’t used the bike at all but I have to make this journey & wont be able to do my job (from home) if I don’t, so technically, although I’m not going to ride, would I be OK (from a legal POV only) to use the bike?
People who aren't furloughed or laid off, etc, are still going to work. You are going to work. Seems cut'n'dried to me.
I’ve looked into it for a similar reason, and as far as I can see there’s nothing stopping you (or I) using a motorbike for an essential journey, regardless of if you have a car you could use. I’ve done 200 miles on my commute over the last three days, passed a few cop cars (including traffic) on a Panigale with panniers and no shits were given. An essential journey is just that, essential, so I’m choosing to enjoy the trip on two wheels!
if my journey offends forum members if they can point me in the direction of the legislation that says I can’t use my bike as I have a car, please do and I’ll re-SORN my bike and revert to four wheels. I’m not looking at getting stopped and in the shit, if I’m wrong I’ll happily (well, unhappily actually!) take the bike off the road again!
I have been using mine for shopping and delivering medication to my Father. Funny I didn't realise that the nearest Asda was a 40 mile round trip . I just stick to the speed limits and use B roads where possible.
Well, it’s people like you that are going straight to hell.... According to some on here..... I’m heading out on my bike in the next day or two... I want a fly-by video of the V4S Termi 4Uscite system, as there doesn’t appear to be a good one online..... Police are clearly bored here in Devon, as I went past 3 when I was on my favourite road a few weeks ago. I can genuinely go months without seeing one, in normal times....
No, nor do I but although I tell the wife that I’m just as likely to have an accident on 4 wheels as two, we all know it ain’t true. I’m tempted & I don't judge those who already do but for me, I’m going to give it a bit longer. The thought of spending unnecessary time in hospital just now, does not appeal
I wouldn’t worry, my friend is the south-west NHS commissioner and it’s seriously not stretched at all. Your only stretched hospitals were the inner city, densely populated surrounding hospitals. He said 90% of hospitals are running at normal capacity...
I'm having the same thoughts today, I'm considering riding my bike across down (about 7-8 miles each way) just to be able to get out on it for a bit and getting milk etc from the supermarket, whether I can class it as essential though when I have 3 supermarkets within 0.5 miles... I am starting to think that the NHS resources argument is starting to subside, given that all the hospitals have been reporting spare capacity and reduced intake for a few weeks now. I'm not saying go out and give it hell, as many will and we will see a big accident spike, but perhaps it isn't the same burden of guilt if you were riding carefully and something happened as it was a month ago
It's almost as if centralising populations, business, commerce ... everything really ... in large conurbations is bad for human health. Whodathunkit?
I have played by the rules thus far, but I think I am going on the bike today. I will add the box, shove some groceries in it and stay local and ride steady. I have fuel so I don't need to stop. If I get stopped, que sera. I will either talk my way out of it or pay the 30 quid.
Well i'll be out on the Smart lunchtime or later today for a quickie and sod the government i say as there is no consistently with the rules inplace.
My wife used to worry about the risk of motorcycling until a few years ago when she broke a knee being ejected from a horse she was riding. While I was looking after her I did some reading and discovered a research paper that suggests equine activities are 22 times more likely to lead to injury than motorcycling. I was delighted to inform her of this. Incidentally, when in A&E she (through the morphine haze) profusely apologised to the medical staff for taking up their time. The orthopedic surgeon replied that there was no need to apologise as they relied on sports, horse and motorcycling incidents to keep them in business.
Worked all day in town (London) yesterday. Loads of Bikes and Scooters 4:40am - Hotel near Harrods.... skeleton staff - no guests. Nearly hit a Harley, cutting down pedestrian areas to avoid one way system.... full emergency stop... he was either on the blutooth phone or swearing... not sure. Then distracted/tired NHS driver (uniformed) jumped Red light (mid cycle) nearly hit a scooter.... stopped to see if it was a drunk driver.... she "never saw the lights" 7:30 - Juice Bar Portobello Road; no one around until 08:30 then 6 delivery scooters and a traffic warden... luckily bought off with a latte. 9am Kensington - plenty of bikes and scooters; and traffic wardens. +15 person queue outside Leyland (paint / decorating wholesaler). 10am Hoxton - Loads of Scooters, Bikes and Cycles... loads of pedestrians... lots of businesses open. Electrician insisted that he used the 8' x 10' plant room at the same time as us.... then went on a 20 minute coffee break. 11:30 Japanese sushi restaurant St. Luke's..... take-away service only... owner takes to waiting scooters on street, at least 5. Small queue outside local hardware shop. 12:15 Harley Street Doctors, very busy.... Including a full refurbishment team at one end of the building. Site next door in full swing. Around London the traffic was very light, pedestrian was like 4am 20 years ago. I'm loving it... 20-30mph average .... normally 7-10mph. I'm going to get a speeding ticket...
