Should i challenge a bicycle £30 ticket?

[kevo2k7]

Last night whilst riding home from Sainsbury's on my bicycle with my shopping in my rucksack i hit the usual busy main road which is probably the busiest road in my town, there is a wide footpath on the left hand side with a huge builders yard wall to inside of it, i always go on this footpath for a 100 or so yards stretch as it is always clear of people, wide enough to accompany people and bicycles without any danger to either, plus there is a builders yard to the left meaning no houses or people stepping out suddenly, also it benefits motorists on the road as it is a very busy road and not really wide enough for motorists and bicycles as vehicles just miss my bike by a few inches whilst passing,
Anyway the old plod pull up (Monday and nothing better to do because they are bored and want to rack up their police points for arrests an fines) and they fine me £30 without a warning or anything, said they had been sent out to target cyclists last night and were fining loads, (B**lox) anyway i explained to them what i have just explained here but to no avail, should i go to court and challenge this or will it just end up costing me more with the law being the law?
Cheers Kev

[kevo2k7]

Well a magistrates jury are just as bent as the police as they are all linked up and work in the courts regulary, seeing the same police all the the time and are bound to be biased towards them!! a crown court jury are normal people from all walks of life!!

[lozzer50]

pavements for people , roads for cyclists i cant stand it when people think its ok to use pavements to jump traffic queues etc. glad you got caught, no sympathy
laws are laws when all said and done!

[daffy654]

10m wide. pah! typical over-exaggeration of size by a bloke ;-) lol

[kevo2k7]

Well just check the pic of the pavement out in my link please and you will see what i mean!!

[ChuckFickens]

That's a nice 4-5meter wide Ford Escort driving along the road then!

Anyhow... being serious. First question they will ask in court. do you plead guilty or not guilty to riding a bike on the pavement, and your answer would be? (you are only allowed to answer guilty or not guilty)

[kevo2k7]

Well lets just hope that a car doesn't clip me eh because ive had a few close shaves from idiots and the moment that i do get clipped when im on the road, even if im not injured i am going to claim for whiplash and everything else i can claim for and will soon be clawing my £30 back and the rest for my troubles!!

[vivandorron]

Anyone who breaks the law should be punished. The fact that you have got away with it in the past is not a reason to justify the crime.

I think you are lucky to have only been given a fixed penalty of £30.

Ron.

[novalis]

I am more often a pedestrian than a motorist. When I do drive I try to show consideration for all road users including cyclists and will always wait until it is safe to pass those on bikes. If however I am ever hit by a pavement cyclist I hope for their sake that they have public liability insurance because I will certainly sue. One question, do you have public liability insurance? If not you should stay on the road when cycling.

[Whickerman]

I sometimes drive, and when a driver, pedestrians annoy me from time to time.
I sometimes walk, and when a pedestrian, drivers annoy me from time to time.
But always - ALWAYS - cyclists Fosters me off. Always.

[Whickerman]

hee hee - auto censor!
Lady Veg flump bastard Fosters and botox.

[Maydup]

I've looked at your photo and its most definately a pavement - albeit a wide one. I think the police have been generous to let you ride on it all this time. £30 is not very much if you divide it by the number of times you've got away with it.

Yes there were targeting you, they were clear about that, its what they do. Next week they'll be up the end of my road with a speed gun.

[emmie]

sorry i hadn't wanted to put more, but i have complained to our local authority because of the reckless behaviour, and sheer stupidity of many who cycle around our way, and its the cycling on pavements, riding over red light, across your path, that i can't stand. Thought i might be a lone voice on this one, obviously not, pedestrian wise is a right royal pain.

[DrFilth]

is that near morrisons or am i on the wrong road

[DrFilth]

change that to sainsbury's sometimes i get my petrol there

[vivandorron]

em...Like you I was not going to say anymore but, as a former cyclist who had been taught that under no circumstance did one ride on a pedestrian footpath alongside a roadway, I wish to comment further.

To kevo I say "pay up". Alternatively, take it to court and be found guilty (as you will be) and face a fine of anything up to £500. The law is the law and the police were doing their duty and, somewhat sympathetically, issued you with a fixed penalty instead of taking you to Court.

Ron.