Four in five police forces back British Cycling's 'Stop - Cycle Race' signs

There are a bunch of issues here.

As mentioned above, the "five races per year" puts off many club people who were happy to turn out once or twice a year and wave a red flag.

Then there's Kent.

BC assured us that there would be loads of AMs available to cover the races. But when it came down to it, we could get the NEG guys and plenty of volunteers to wave a red flag but no AMs were forthcoming.

And then there is the education. I'm a motorist and I've not been told that the AM with their "special sign" means anything more than a red flag marshal. Nobody I know outside of the cycling fraternity knows about the "special signs". Having waved a red flag many a time, you will always get some bellend who chooses to ignore you and so you have to shout like hell at the approaching riders that captain twat is approaching them at speed.

I know people from the BC end who insist that this is the way forward and this is the future. Fine. Maybe it is. But for it to work we need a) enough accredited marshals to cover the events and b) to inform the general public that these signs actually mean something.

A great deal of effort goes into designing courses and notifying the locals to make sure that road races upset the minimum number of people. It's kind of irritating that you <i>still</i> get people yelling, trying to drive through the race, being general bastards.

When I've been waving a red flag, yes I step out into the road with my hi viz and my flag. If there's time I have a quick word with the car driver to explain what's happening. 99% of people are fine with it. According to Kent police I could be nicked for doing that.

Something something something war on motorists.

'May' prosecute ... so empty fucking words! if the sign is defined as being something you MUST obey then to infringe it is breaking the law, thus a prosection not empty words, MUST take place, otherwise as we see with all other infractions, motorists will just carry on as usual.

Nowt wrong with the idea but it will need some publicity beforehand. I have been driving for nearly 40 years and watching or involved in cycle sport for much of that time and have never been aware tha there is any legal force behind such a sign. Infact I don't remember seeing one before today. If thats me then what is the average driver going to know?

The power to stop traffic in a race is essential to the safety of all road users, mainly cyclists. However I believe the criteria for maintaining accredited status is too high - "Accredited marshals are required to commit to marshalling a minimum of five races a year." 5 races is a lot. If they are on a Sunday that is likely to be three hours or racing plus a good hour beforehand with possibly a second race in the afternoon. How can BC expect people to give up the large majority of 5 Sunday's a year to be part of this scheme. Whatsmore most race course will require 12-15 marshals on the course at any one time and none of them paid a penny. 

I've ridden very well run races - and a few bads ones - and try to commit to marshalling twice a year but the barriers to become accredited and maintain are too high. Interesting to note Kent CC on this list when supposedly they insisted all races were run by fully accredited marshals last year. It's hard enough for clubs to pull together the volunteers for two races per year let alone get enough club member's on the accredited scheme and commit to 5 races per year. In my opinion, BC should be making it easier to get these powers.

"Four in five police forces across the country"

Which Country? I'm presuming England, as there's no mention of Scotland, Wales or N Ireland police force areas.

Is British Cycling turning into "English Cycling"?

With some careful mis-punctuation, I imagine we could dupe the Daily Fail crowd into backing this as well