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news
cambridge bikes.jpgPlain clothes cops in Cambridge target cyclists riding through red lights or on pavements
Undercover police are to be deployed in Cambridge to catch red light-jumping cyclists and those riding on pavements in an initiative codenamed Operation Pedalo, which will also focus on cycle theft.
The operation, which begins today, aims “to reduce road deaths and casualties amongst cyclists, reduce cycle crime and anti-social cycling in the city,” says Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
The officers, along with others in uniform, some on bicycles, will patrol hot spot areas including Market Street, Sidney Street, Downing Street, Regent Street, Drummer Street, St Andrew's Street, Arbury Road, Mill Road, Hills Road and Elizabeth Way Bridge.
Also targeted will be cyclists riding without lights, who will be given seven days to avoid a fine by producing a receipt showing they have bought a set under the force’s Lights Instead of Tickets scheme.
"This operation is about educating cyclists as well as enforcing the law,” said Chief Inspector Nick Church.
"There is a lot of dangerous cycling within Cambridge and our aim is to tackle this problem and reduce the number of collisions.
"Cyclists stopped without lights will be given the option of participating in the LIT scheme, inconsiderate and dangerous cycling will not be tolerated.
"We want to make the streets of Cambridge a safe place for all road users and pedestrians," he added.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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15 comments
Wonder how many cyclists will be stopped for riding on the pavement next to a car parked half on-half off the pavement which will be totally ignored
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think traffic police cannot stop anybody unless they are in uniform.
Still, anything to crack down on cyclists...
The operation, which begins today, aims “to reduce road deaths and casualties amongst cyclists, reduce cycle crime and anti-social cycling in the city,”
All from stopping cyclists riding on the pavement? Wow!
In plain clothes eh, should be able to nick a few motorists using mobiles phones while they hang around waiting for bike thieves as well.
There was a plain-clothes policeman freezing his nuts off in the centre of Thame this last week. He was watching for car drivers talking on the phone or driving without seat belts. About 100m up the road there was a collection of motorists and uniformed officers 'discussing' matters, also a local radio station interviewing everyone. Some forces are doing the right thing!
I must've misread the blurb below the headline as I thought it said 'uninformed police will take part in operation ...'!!
I wonder if they have any numbers to back up their claim that catching red light jumping cyclists will reduce road deaths and casualties amongst them.
Unfortunately I think you a correct there PaulM. No expense is spared to make life as easy as possible for motorists and give us/them a 'sporting' chance where penalties are concerned. We have our priorities all wrong in this country
I've always thought that undercover cops on bikes would be very effective at catching motorists. Every driver seems to be on their mobile phone. If they thought a plain clothes cyclist might be a cop, they might be more careful.
You'd run out of police very quickly!
While waiting to cross a busy junction the other day (on foot), I counted 8 motorists using their phones (either talking or texting) out of less than 30 cars which went through one phase of lights.
While I agree that catching RLJers on bike or in cars is important, I think the priorities are a bit out of whack. I'd prefer to see police at junctions stopping ALL lawbreakers, not just targeting cyclists.
I don't have a problem with this as such- RLJing and riding on the pavements are both Bad Things in my book. But I do have a problem with only this being enforced. Agree with crazy-legs:
I'm also unhappy with the justification given. If it's really all about reducing injuries and deaths then they're starting in the wrong place.
If plain clothes police are OK to catch cyclists, what is wrong with concealed speed cameras to catch speeding motorists?
Don't be naive! Cyclists are "lycra louts" Motorists are "hard working families".
Simples!
Glad to see the Cambridge Police so warmly embracing the concept of victim blaming by stalking and arresting cyclists, not the people driving cars and HGV's too fast, badly. I mean, if you get all the law-breaking cyclists off the road, no-one will die anymore, right?
...right?
Spot on. How else do you think the fall in pedestrian casualties over the decades has been achieved? You don't make the roads safer, you make them so damn dangerous that only a handful of nutters would walk anywhere near them.