Safe Speed Forums

This might be slightly off topic, but its been bugging me for a while, so I thought I'd ask the question here and see if I get an answer.

I few months ago I was in our local Tesco store and decided I needed fuel. So I rode from the store entrance to the petrol station without my helmet on. (Right or wrong I don't really care, cos I have to take it off to pay in the petrol station anyway ). As I stood at the pump, an off duty police officer approched, showed me his badge and said 'You've just been witnessed riding without a helmet on....' told me that he could book me but in this instance would let me off with a slapped wrist.

Now the question is, this is a private carpark owned by the store (I checked with the store manager the next day), but obviously the public have access because its a car park designed for free public use. Do the same laws apply as on the public highway (which is what the officer said) or, as I though was the case, since its private land the rules do not apply and he was just trying it on.

I don't want this to turn into a discussion of the rights and wrongs of helmet law, I just want an answer as to what is considered a 'public highway'.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

I would imagine the relevant law refers to "a road or other public place", as does the drink-driving law, and therefore would apply anywhere the public have access.

The copper in question was being a bit of a jobsworth, though.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Yes, you do committ the offence of riding without a helmet as it is as says the car park is a public place, and some supermarket car parks are deemed roads depending on the layout etc. Perhaps he might have been pointing out the safety aspect of riding without a helmet.

I from time to time tell my neighbours and strangers that they have got bald tyres on their cars, but I tell them as a caring concerned individual I never say I am a police officer although my neighbours know I am,so doe's that make me a jobsworth, granted he could have just mentioned it as a member of public, but sometimes you identify yourself that way you are not ending up in a brawl. Yes some folk dont like being told off so react in an agrressive manner.
Stephen

Thanks for the clarification Stephen. I will know better next time

Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased that he didn't book me coz from what you've said he was perfectly within his rights to do so, and I'll hold my hand up to that, but I can't help wondering that if I'd been 6'3" with loads of tattoos and long hair riding a hog he wouldn't have even bothered... it did feel like a bit of a 'I'm having a bad day and I want to take it out on someone' moment though...

As for pointing out vehicle faults to members of the public - if you do it in a 'your car's got a fault, mate' way rather than 'oi you're nicked' then I don't see a problem with it - I sometimes point out faulty lights etc to people. Lets face it, the majority of people don't have a clue how to check their vehicles for faults anyway.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

Not wishing to sound holier than thou etc., but I never, NEVER EVER, ride my bike without all the gear on. I've been involved in an incident where a biker had travelled approximately 20 feet, came off (low speed) and smashed his head on the kerb, resulting in a fractured skull. Even in the summer, blazing hot sun etc., I NEVER go out with my full clobber on.

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

I ride most of the year with an open face lid bottyburp. Granted it would stop me mashing my skull to bits if it hit the kerb (whether or not I would break my neck in the process is a different question) but it doesn't protect the face or chin at all. I've seen a bloke lose the use of his hand by having the tendons literlly ground away when he came off and landed on it. These things happen. I would never consider riding any distance without the proper gear on, but 200 yards across a carpark - not a problem. I've had worse spills coming off a mountain bike than off the motorbike, and I never wear a helmet then....

Like I said, I didn't want this to become a debate about helmet law / protective equipment, I just wanted an answer to the question, which thanks to Stephen I now have.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

Hi Sixy

You ride most of the year with an open-face lid? Respect to you!
I'm a full-face lid man myself, and come the winter (now), complete with balaclava underneath too!

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

Cheers bottyburp!

I do find it a little bit cold this time of year, but I find that I can see better than in the full face - and when you ride a bike with no mirrors that's quite an advantage! Also the open face doesn't squash my piercings like the full face does

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

I commute to London, Bristol, Cardiff & Manchester (from Birmingham) occasionally and have just bought myself a 2nd hand Pan (to protect my Blackbird from the winter salt) - the heated grips are fantastic!

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

I must admit, I've been contemplating heated grips for the GPZ. I don't think the charging system on the XS is up to it though....

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

I've never had heated grips before - I've always just 'soldiered' on, with inner gloves etc., but they really make a difference. Go on, stick some on the GPZ... We've got another 3 months or so of winter!

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

I need a new throttle grip first - I bent it when I dropped it off the centre-stand the other week

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

Good for you.

As for me I ride helmet free whenever I can..

You do your thing and I will do mine. Its a fixed penalty in the UK not endorsable. In the US I can ride free in most states.

It is worth remembering that "public" places can be car parks, petrol stations when it comes to seat belt laws, mobile phone use while driving and even drunk driving before you leave the pub car park. Or giving a mate a driving lesson on a supermarket car park if you don't have the insurance cover.

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Speed camera policy Kills

I know what Sixy means about the piercings- that's why I can't wear the PVC pants and Lycra chestwarmer anymore.

The phrase 'too much information' comes to mind

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus