Caught on the wrong side of the law


2392948876_2017f0982a_mWell it finally happened, cycling through a red light, past bank tube stop on a cold summers day (it is England after all) I was caught by the police. Grabbing me as I cycled past P.C. I Have Had A Bad Day and I’m Going to Take it Out on You or whatever his name was, I was pulled off my bike.

At first I thought it was someone trying to hijack my bike but when I realised it was a police officer I glared “Yes, officer”. This served only to anger more the man of the law who proceeded to tell me the obvious. I had gone through a red light and that upset him.

Thinking up excuses as I grabbed a few short breaths I suggested the light was orange when I went through and why was I the only cyclist to be caught out of the two of us that went through the light.

The police man was having none of it. I paid my fine and learnt an important lesson - next time I will check for police before skipping a red light.

With a recent article stating that cycling down a one way street may be given the OK for cyclists could this one day extend to red/orange lights?

If any of London Cyclists’ readers have been caught by the police for anything I would love to hear from them, please leave a comment…

Image courtesy of: DannyMcL

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Comments by Cyclists

I got stopped for the same thing, at the same place last week. What surprised me was that the were pointing in the opposite direction, pulled a u-turn, and followed me jumping 2 further lights…

Early evening riding back to Battersea from Regent’s Park - through red light, very slowly, after having stopped and checked there was nothing coming. Red police car - very angry officers, didn’t get out of car, told me off, patronised me, I apologised and left - no fine.

I really don’t think the police know how to cope with cyclists skipping the light. I would think in most situations you would be able to get away with a caution. Thanks for your comments guys - Tim that’s very funny that we both got caught in the same place!