No need to antagonize the locals or old bill. The police man was sound as a pound. Didn't have an attitude. I would have turned around. We get bad enuff press as it is.
Yeah me to I would turn around not worth getting on the wrong side of the old bill he was well sorted he could have started looking around the bike etc
But if he was legal, and by this I mean the bike and the route, and this is what the TRF stand or fall by, then he could/should/would have taken the opportunity to generate some good press by sticking to his principles, with nothing to fear if the man wants to look over the bike as he will only find a road legal motorcycle on a legal road.
Or he could just turn around, like a tosser on a crosser, and reinforce the stereotype of the illegal off roader.
If the sign said no offroad bikes, then he should gave carried on, but told the policeman his intentions.
If it was a TRRO then he did the right thing.
No GPS so he must have known where he was and where he was going.
But if he was legal, and by this I mean the bike and the route, and this is what the TRF stand or fall by, then he could/should/would have taken the opportunity to generate some good press by sticking to his principles, with nothing to fear if the man wants to look over the bike as he will only find a road legal motorcycle on a legal road.
Or he could just turn around, like a tosser on a crosser, and reinforce the stereotype of the illegal off roader.
Which one do you think people view you as?
I`m new to all this, so got to be careful....but got to say tend to agree with Pete!
I would have done the same as the bike rider - and kept it amicable. When home I would have made the necessary enquiries to see what the issues were and the legality of it all. That's probably because I ride the lanes of the trust of the over-lays, but not with substantial evidence and reasoning in my head (most of the time I don't even know quite where I am .
Probably different for you Pete as you could have told him "in 1636, Squire Invincible set up a toll station 163 yards along this road for the local peasants and charged a groat for it's use and since then the road has been a highway and will always be one until an official traffic restriction order, temporary or otherwise, is produced." I am sure he would have waved you right-on through before you opened a discussion on Tudors and Stuarts
Knowledge certainly is power - and thats why it would be turn around for me.
My bike may be 95% legal, but the number-plate is kept a little smaller for risk of breaking and despite regular cleaning it is often somewhat obscured by mud. A jobsworth policeman could issue a penalty for a dirty number plate on the spot - even if the rest of your bike was 100% legal.
BTW Pete - the example above is in honour of your exemplary knowledge and not a simple pee-take.
"Or he could just turn around, like a tosser on a crosser, and reinforce the stereotype of the illegal off roader.
Which one do you think people view you as???????" Hummmm gona leave that one.
Most bikes are like Wheely said are 95% legal. (Small plate) (mooses) But in my experience most pcs can find something wrong with you bike if you don't pass the 10 second attitude test. I work a lot with traffic police and trust me they don't like a smart ass know it all! I think Wheely is bang on here. Go home and see what's on or just go and ride another lane.
-- Edited by Viking on Thursday 23rd of January 2014 07:46:19 AM
First thing i would have done is read what the notice said, if it was not a TRO and the lane was a ucr/boat discuss with the officer present with regard to the legality if he wanted to continue along the lane, it is highly likely the officer would only know basic traffic law, so if you had sufficient evidence/knowledge then proceed.
__________________
Took the Queens Shilling and disappeared for 23 Years !!
On the day I'd have done the same, turn around and ride away.
Yes I could have stood there and fought for my rights but this is not a case of educating some nimbys. If the Police start issuing section this & that then you have got some red tape to undo after your ride. Not worth it just for 1 lane.
What I might be tempted to do (if I was out on my own) is start taking details - Officers Name & badge No., a statement of some sort from him (that he was blocking me from using the lane and the reason why). I could then follow that up properly with his boss.
.
