Surrey Police go after inconsiderate cyclists


Surrey Police are targeting inconsiderate cyclists in the Box Hill area as the roads become ever more popular for riding.
In the last two days the Police have been handing out leaflets to cyclists that read:
CARELESS & INCONSIDERATE RIDING: If a person rides a cycle, on a road, without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, is guilty of an offence. [sic] £1,000 FINE
A Police spokesperson said that this action was taken due to "quite a lot of anti-social cycling in the area." When asked to confirm what anti-social cycling was they said it applied to those who were riding more than two abreast, or in big groups, and causing cars to slow down.
Rule 66 of the Highway Code states: never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends.
Cycling in groups is not restricted in any way.
The move comes months after PS Simon Cox, Mole Valley Sergeant, contacted several cycling and triathlon clubs in the South East warning them of anti-social and inconsiderate riding.
Part of the letter sent to the clubs reads; 'We have also had increased reports ..... about groups of cyclists blocking roads by cycling in "pelotons". In addition, we have had complaints regarding the inappropriate speed of some cyclists in the narrow and winding lanes around the Surrey Hills.'
It goes on to say that there has been one very serious collision near Box Hill involving a cyclist. Nowhere does it say that any cyclists have committed an offence.
The letter closes by saying; 'Please could I ask you to ensure that your club riders are aware of the complaints we are receiving, to ensure that they do not become subject to complaints themselves.'
Cycling Weekly will be investigating this further over the coming weeks.
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Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling when channel surfing in 1989 and happening across the greatest ever edition of the Tour de France. He's been a Greg LeMond fan ever since. He started racing in 1995 when moving to university in North Wales gave him more time to train and some amazing roads to train on. He raced domestically for several years, riding everything from Surrey leagues to time trials, track and even a few Premier Calendars. In 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium with the Kingsnorth International Wheelers.
Since working for Cycling Weekly he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He can still be seen at his club's evening races through the summer but he still hasn't completed the CW5000 challenge!
SIMON IS CURRENTLY RIDING
Road bike: Pinarello K8S with Shimano Dura Ace
TT bike: Specialized Venge road bike with FFWD wheels and Easton Attack TT bars
Gravel bike: N/A
Training bike: Rourke custom hand made with Reynolds 853 steel
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