03-04-13, 09:15 AM
Regarding "different personalities"... I had an interesting experience on the Bikesafe course I took in North London as I ended up sitting round a table in Frankie and Benny's, eating a Pizza, arguing with 3 police motorcycle cops about the rights and wrongs of the road. I'd only been riding for about 3 months and don't drive a car so couldn't really comment on motorised transport but the views on cycling/red lights were very polarised and it really brought out the personalities of the officers.
2 were fine about going through red lights (or at least early jumping of lights) when the junction was hazardous to hang back with traffic and said they'd probably give me a warning if I endangered any member of the public etc. but the other was practically going to give me a fixed penno there and then, "rules are rules" he said.
Anyway, I'd just make sure you have a good chat on your Bikesafe course, it was very enlightening to see the differing opinions of Police "off the road" and a very "humanising" experience.
2 were fine about going through red lights (or at least early jumping of lights) when the junction was hazardous to hang back with traffic and said they'd probably give me a warning if I endangered any member of the public etc. but the other was practically going to give me a fixed penno there and then, "rules are rules" he said.
Anyway, I'd just make sure you have a good chat on your Bikesafe course, it was very enlightening to see the differing opinions of Police "off the road" and a very "humanising" experience.
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines...