Police bike out of order? - WDYT?

[pennyturner]

Riding along village road. Two lanes wide, approx 50yds after on street cars parked on opposite side, and 20yds before a bend. Hence a small build up of around 4 cars and a horsebox behind, waiting sensibly for the bend before overtaking.

I'm escorting my 7yo daughter, but she's doing well, both ponies are traffic proof, and proceeding in good order so we're single file.

Suddenly Mr day-glo motor bike traffic cop pulls around traffic, and alongside our ponies. "Pull these two off the road" (onto the pavement!) "- they're holding up the traffic", he says.

I don't like being given orders at the best of times, but it seems to me that this was unreasonable and officious - who was really annoyed about being slowed down for a few minutes - the other traffic, or, perhaps, him?

Should I complain about his attitude, his idiotic instruction or him bringing a powerful bike alongside a small child on a pony with no thought for safety?

 

[chestnut cob]

I think I'd be inclined to call your local station and have a little moan about all three of those!!

 

[smanf]

Utterly atrocious behaviour IMO, sounds like a complete jobsworth, and imbecile. I certainly would complain for every minute reason I could think of. Incredible! Was obviously feeling inadequate that day and felt the need to assert his authority on the most vulnerable target he could find

 

[Goldenstar]

You bet I would complain and you should to .

 

[its_noodles]

yep, go ahead and make a formal complaint. may be they have to look at their attitude towards horse riders.

 

[9tails]

Surely it's against the law to ride on the pavement? Otherwise we'd all do it!

 

[Moomin1]

It would depend on the reason why they asked you to move over. If the queue of traffic was in such a place that it may cause a danger ie on a bend then his actions may well have been justified to prevent accidents.

 

[miss_c]

Pretty sure we're not allowed to ride on pavements... would he then have given you a warning/ticket for riding where you are not supposed to?

 

[its_noodles]

once they got you on the pavements, did the cars zoom pass you??? if so, it's absolutely not right and the police have no horse sense...

 

[DabDab]

Well you can be prosecuted for not pulling over to let cars past, but you should only pull over when it is safe to do so, and I've certainly never heard of anyone being told off for not doing so with a cue of less than 10 cars (that's not set in stone though I'm sure). But ultimately, if there is no room/vision to pass you then you have right of way and riding a motorbike alongside a child on a pony and then calling out is inexcusable - so yes I would definitely report it.

 

[pennyturner]

We're so used to traffic, I suppose I should have been more annoyed than I was.

Neither pony batted an eyelid at the bike (Rosie was riding JB, who is an oldy and a saint). Both pulled quietly onto the path and watched the cars and horsebox go past. None of the vehicles went quickly. TBH if you go through Whitchurch at the weekend, being caught behind something slow is pretty normal. I'm thinking Mr Plod wasn't local...

 

[miss_c]

We're so used to traffic, I suppose I should have been more annoyed than I was.

Neither pony batted an eyelid at the bike (Rosie was riding JB, who is an oldy and a saint). Both pulled quietly onto the path and watched the cars and horsebox go past. None of the vehicles went quickly. TBH if you go through Whitchurch at the weekend, being caught behind something slow is pretty normal. I'm thinking Mr Plod wasn't local...

Guessing you may be my end of the country! Perhaps contact the A&S Mounted Section as well and get their opinion on it? Did you get this chap's number?

 

[OrangePepper]

Local byways laws prevent horse riders from riding on the pavement.

If the police officer concerned was of mind that the horses where likely to cause an accident or a significant hold up then he could request the horses to stand on the pavement until the traffic passed. He may also know that there was a police escort ore emergency vehicles coming along that route or even a police chase.

If you feel that the police officer was being over officious then make a formal complaint to the chief constable of the area.

 

[zaminda]

I'd be complaining, in writing. Mine are all fine on the road, but wouldn't stand quietly while people came past, surely it wouldn't be the end of the world to trot past cars to where it is wider, and have cars come past while you are walking? We are classed as vulnerable road users, idiot motor bike cop should know better, but then I would probably have asked him if he was trying to cause an accident, and taken his details on the spot.
The highway code says pass with care, not sure where it says we have to stop and let people pass?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would certainly complain. I hope you got the number of either the bike or the rider though, as otherwise, I doubt it will be possible to identify who was riding through your village at that time on that date.

 

[cyberhorse]

I'd complain if I was you. Pulling a motorbike close to a child on a pony shows a lack of understanding which needs to be addressed. I was also of the impression that we are not allowed to ride on a public footpath and therefore we can only "pull over" in a safe place which is not a pavement and the traffic has to accommodate this for both horse riders and cyclists.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Complain and suggest he goes on a safety course to teach him how to behave around horses.

Our local council has instructed our YO not to let riders use the pavement outside the yard. That's fine but I wish they'd tell the motorists who have passed my 7year old grandson on my horse at 40 miles an hour leaving just a narrow gap, on the last few days.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I'd complain if I was you. Pulling a motorbike close to a child on a pony shows a lack of understanding which needs to be addressed. I was also of the impression that we are not allowed to ride on a public footpath and therefore we can only "pull over" in a safe place which is not a pavement and the traffic has to accommodate this for both horse riders and cyclists.

This. I would be concerned about the cops lack of concern for either the laws regarding horses on pavements and inappropriate use of their powers, there was no dangerous build up level of traffic nor a safe and legal place to pull over.

 

[nervous nelly]

i think you should complain. as a child i had the best little 12hh exmoor, fantastic in everyway (infact im hoing to try and buy him in a few years time for my little girl) but he was genuinly terrified of motor bikes and had this happened to us he would have caused a big problem.

i can not understand why anyone would pull a bike up next to horse let alone one with a child on bored its common sence! xx

 

[pennyturner]

No chance to get his number, I'm afraid. He sped off as soon as he'd said his piece.
Must have been in a hurry to go get his donuts.

 

[cyberhorse]

If you give his location and time it should be sufficient to pin down who he is. If he was anything like the cops we have round here he'd have sped off well over the speed limit to go and get his donuts!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

No chance to get his number, I'm afraid. He sped off as soon as he'd said his piece.
Must have been in a hurry to go get his donuts.

Awful behaviour from someone who should know better.

I would complain. If you would find this behaviour unacceptable from ANY other bike rider then I would deffo complain. As someone else has said, if you give the location and time of day then don't let them give you any b@ll***** that they can't trace him.

I would write to the Complaints Dept of the Constabulary for your area; and/or the Head of Traffic Division. Also if there is a mounted section, I'd write to them as well, plus the Road Safety Officer (if there is one) and ask if you and/or some local horse riders could come in to talk to the police motorcycle section about issues of road safety which concern them and to ask for their advice and guidance as to how they might ride safely on the roads etc etc ; this way there's a chance that the interchange will be pro-active and the police and local horse riders might be able to work together on road safety issues .............. just a suggestion.

 

[Hairy Old Cob]

A friend of mine wanted to become a Traffic Policeman but he failed the first Question at the Interview He Knew Both His Parents.

 

[Dry Rot]

I suppose I am the odd one out because I don't believe the OP has anything to complain about!

The traffic cop told the OP to move over so following traffic could pass as in his judgement it was the correct and safe thing to do. You do what the police tell you to do. That is stated in the Highway Code.

On this occasion, you carried out the policeman's instructions, your child and horses were safe, and the tail back was allowed to proceed without any further hold ups.

What is there to complain about? A trained professional did his job as he is trained and paid to do to resolve what could have caused an accident. He is the professional, the OP is not.

The OP failed to observe the Highway Code which requires all road users to be considerate to others. Going onto the pavement is permitted for access and emergencies. The police officer clearly judged this situation to be an emergency and took action to resolve the issue.

 

[smirnoff_ice07]

I suppose I am the odd one out because I don't believe the OP has anything to complain about!

The traffic cop told the OP to move over so following traffic could pass as in his judgement it was the correct and safe thing to do. You do what the police tell you to do. That is stated in the Highway Code.

On this occasion, you carried out the policeman's instructions, your child and horses were safe, and the tail back was allowed to proceed without any further hold ups.

What is there to complain about? A trained professional did his job as he is trained and paid to do to resolve what could have caused an accident. He is the professional, the OP is not.

The OP failed to observe the Highway Code which requires all road users to be considerate to others. Going onto the pavement is permitted for access and emergencies. The police officer clearly judged this situation to be an emergency and took action to resolve the issue.

Think I'd be inclined to agree...

 

[tankgirl1]

You were in the way a cop asked and gave you permission to ride on the pavement. .... what's the problem

Hmmm If I were in the same situation as the OP, my problem would be a motorcycle rider driving up to then pulling alongside a child on a pony! Rather than passing, or even approaching 'Wide and Slow'!

Fwiw I often bring Boyo in to stand on the pavement to let vehicles pass.

 

[maisie06]

I would complain and if your local police have a facebook page as ours do......

 

[quirky]

I suppose I am the odd one out because I don't believe the OP has anything to complain about!

The traffic cop told the OP to move over so following traffic could pass as in his judgement it was the correct and safe thing to do. You do what the police tell you to do. That is stated in the Highway Code.

I'm with you!

 

[guido16]

I am afraid I don't see the problem. Were you trotting to get round the corner or just walking?
If you were just walking I would be a bit peeved if I was behind you to be honest.
If trotting then fair enough but I still don't see the problem. If anything, he did you a favour by giving you the ok to go on the pavement.

 

[be positive]

I suppose I am the odd one out because I don't believe the OP has anything to complain about!

The traffic cop told the OP to move over so following traffic could pass as in his judgement it was the correct and safe thing to do. You do what the police tell you to do. That is stated in the Highway Code.

On this occasion, you carried out the policeman's instructions, your child and horses were safe, and the tail back was allowed to proceed without any further hold ups.

What is there to complain about? A trained professional did his job as he is trained and paid to do to resolve what could have caused an accident. He is the professional, the OP is not.

The OP failed to observe the Highway Code which requires all road users to be considerate to others. Going onto the pavement is permitted for access and emergencies. The police officer clearly judged this situation to be an emergency and took action to resolve the issue.

The sensible response, if I had 5 or 6 vehicles behind me when hacking I would move over to let them through, going onto an empty pavement to allow the traffic to continue and not have to wait is hardly a crime.