Tour of Britain cyclists could face speed fines in Welshpool
Saturday 9th July 2011, 1:07PM BST.
It wouldn’t happen on the Tour de France. But cyclists taking part in this year’s Tour of Britain could be hit with speeding fines when they come through Welshpool.
The tour is set to begin stage four in the Mid Wales town on September 14.
Peter Hodges, tour spokesman, said cyclists could be fined if they exceeded the speed limit on the town’s streets, even though the roads are officially closed during the race.
He claimed however it was “highly unlikely” as the town centre formed an early part of the stage and cyclists would not be hitting top speeds. The cyclists are expected to take a tour through the town centre by following the one-way system before heading out into the Montgomeryshire countryside and towards South Wales.
A law which has been changed across Europe but not in the UK means cyclists, as well as accompanying cars and motorbikes, could be fined for speeding despite the roads being closed.
Mr Hodges said: “If they were caught in a speed trap, then they could be fined, but more often it is the cars from the race convoy that set off speed cameras, if indeed they do, or the police outriders on their motorbikes.”
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I think tells us all we need to know about “Great” Britain. Mind how you go…
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I would advise do not go near Welshpool, this comment must come from the idiot who set up the new one way system and spent a fortune in doing so.
When the holiday season starts next week the traffic queues will tail back for miles, it may well be better to find another route if you are going to Barmouth.
Why do we employ these people ?
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Surely, if the roads are closed, then they do not form part of the public highway. Speed fines would therefore be unenforceable?
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…………………………………… speechless !!!
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Quite right too, speeding indeed. And, while they’re at it, fine them for wearing tight trousers and silly hats too. Have they got lights and bells? No? Right, fine them for that too.
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Its about time ‘everyone’ got done for speeding but surely not in a race? it will be brands hatch next were you seen driving your F1 motorcar at over 200mph without tax and MOT. You mention lights and bells how many roadusers of all types have lights fitted and have no idea how to use them?
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The road is closed and they are expected to keep within a defined speed limit !! Crazy.
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How pathetic!!!! Good old Welshpool police,nothing better to do.Very very sad!!!!
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Oh Chris… Police do have better things to do. I really do not think they are going to stand around with speed guns, do you??
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Great Britain, NO Stupid Britain seems more appropriate
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oh how welshpool like to get in the papers over such nonsence. the idea of shutting roads is that no one gets hurt lol
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is Welshpool that short of money? Wake up go to France and see what hosting events like this benefit the local area. Open your bigoted eyes and go to Monaco and see how much money and visitors bring in. With cars roaring round the streets at 200mph+.Wake up and see the benefits, opportunities like this do not come very often.
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This is a complete non-story, though it does highlight the pea-brained mentality of some people.
For a start, is anyone really going to ‘trap’ and apprehend any individual in a 100+ rider group?
Secondly, Welshpool is the start area. The first couple of miles will be neutralised – they will ride en masse behind a course car under controlled conditions. Additionally, none of the cyclists will want to ride at full speed at the start of a long stage.
Drivers of vehicles associated with the race are expected to obey the law at all times, regardless of whether the road is closed.
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if every single one got a speeding fine, then refused to pay it etc, then the courts would be chock – a block. then maybe they would realise what a stupid idear this is.
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Since when have cyclists been motor vehicles and eligible for speeding tickets? I don’t much like the way cyclists in general ignore stop signs, traffic lights, one way streets, and cycle on the road when there’s a perfectly good cycle lane on the adjacent pathway, but in the context of such an event, the possibility of speeding fines is imbecilic.
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Ha Ha If they get caught a lot do they get a ban from riding their bikes??. what next running too fast??? banned from running!!
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As there is no legal requirement for bikes to be fitted with speedometers (and it is highly unlikely that a racing bike would be fitted), how are cyclists expected to know how fast they’re going?
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A police officer does not need to show that a cycle is speeding only that it is being ridden furiously.
I just wonder with all these cycles in one place, where are the spectators going to go because presumably the cyclists will be using the footpaths like they do in Shrewsbury unchallenged.
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I’d just like to remind readers that the Tour de France will be in Welshpool on the 14th September.
I suspect Peter Hodges would like to remind readers of this fact too.
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Can Welshpool get any more self destrutcive – apparently yes – RIP
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This is total garbage, a pedal cycle will NEVER activate a speed camera, it does not have the required bulk / density.
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They can activate speed cams, just look on youtube and you will see it there, also, they can do it on skateboards too.
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They have been used successfully in Bournemouth, which I would suggest means that your comments are de facto garbage.
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Araf, Araf!
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You cannot be charged with speeding on a bicycle so the gentleman is mistaken. As has been mentioned earlier the only offence would be pedalling furiously. I sugeest the chap knows nothing about cycling!
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