Post by UK Gravity Sports Asscociation on Jan 7, 2011 16:00:38 GMT
Hi,
I'll cut and paste a letter from 2000 below, from the Dept for Transport & the Regions. Apologies for the formatting, had to open it in wordpad, due to software issues :-(
Timothy Hurford
Timothy.hurford@new.oxford.ac.uk
Tom Hinds
Road Safety Division 3
Department of the Environment
Transport and the Regions
Zone 2/13
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR
Direct Line: 020 7944 2024
Fax: 020 7944 2029
GTN Code: 3533
Our Ref: RS
16 August 2000
Dear Mr Hurford
NON-MOTORISED VEHICLES
Thank you for your email of the 7th of June, about non-motorised vehicles on the road. I have been asked to reply and apologise for the delay in doing so.
You ask in your email about the use of bicycles, stand on scooters and skateboards on the road. Bicycles are considered to be road vehicles by the law, and this is reflected in a number of regulations governing their use. These can be found in the highway code available from bookshops, or on the web: www.roads.detr.gov.uk/roadsafety/hc/index.htm
The Highway Code contains guidance and advice to help ensure that all those who use the roads do so in the safest manner possible. Although failure to comply with the advisory sections of the Highway Code does not itself constitute an offence, such failures can be taken into account by the courts in both criminal and civil cases when attempting to establish or negate liability. It is ultimately a matter for the courts to decide in light of the evidence presented to it.
The Code is not just for drivers, but contains important advice for all road users and the rules apply equally to pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and horse riders. Stand-on scooters and skateboards are not viewed as road vehicles according to the law, but as pedestrians.
There are however local authority powers which, by means of byelaws, may prohibit or regulate the use of roller blades, skateboards “and similar equipment” in particular areas. Under Section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972, local authorities are able to make byelaws for “the prevention and suppression of nuisances”. Byelaws may be used to ban such equipment on the carriageway or pavement. Local authorities are best placed to assess whether, and in what circumstances, such activities should be prohibited in their area.
I hope this answers your question.
Yours sincerely
Tom Hinds
Now obviously this was 10 years ago, and some legislation may have been changed. Of course, no mention of soapboxes either, but I suspect that as long as you have mirrors and reflectors (no lights req'd if in daylight, as per motorbikes, I believe?)
Hope this helps understand the current legal status of our hobbies :-)
I'll cut and paste a letter from 2000 below, from the Dept for Transport & the Regions. Apologies for the formatting, had to open it in wordpad, due to software issues :-(
Timothy Hurford
Timothy.hurford@new.oxford.ac.uk
Tom Hinds
Road Safety Division 3
Department of the Environment
Transport and the Regions
Zone 2/13
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR
Direct Line: 020 7944 2024
Fax: 020 7944 2029
GTN Code: 3533
Our Ref: RS
16 August 2000
Dear Mr Hurford
NON-MOTORISED VEHICLES
Thank you for your email of the 7th of June, about non-motorised vehicles on the road. I have been asked to reply and apologise for the delay in doing so.
You ask in your email about the use of bicycles, stand on scooters and skateboards on the road. Bicycles are considered to be road vehicles by the law, and this is reflected in a number of regulations governing their use. These can be found in the highway code available from bookshops, or on the web: www.roads.detr.gov.uk/roadsafety/hc/index.htm
The Highway Code contains guidance and advice to help ensure that all those who use the roads do so in the safest manner possible. Although failure to comply with the advisory sections of the Highway Code does not itself constitute an offence, such failures can be taken into account by the courts in both criminal and civil cases when attempting to establish or negate liability. It is ultimately a matter for the courts to decide in light of the evidence presented to it.
The Code is not just for drivers, but contains important advice for all road users and the rules apply equally to pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and horse riders. Stand-on scooters and skateboards are not viewed as road vehicles according to the law, but as pedestrians.
There are however local authority powers which, by means of byelaws, may prohibit or regulate the use of roller blades, skateboards “and similar equipment” in particular areas. Under Section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972, local authorities are able to make byelaws for “the prevention and suppression of nuisances”. Byelaws may be used to ban such equipment on the carriageway or pavement. Local authorities are best placed to assess whether, and in what circumstances, such activities should be prohibited in their area.
I hope this answers your question.
Yours sincerely
Tom Hinds
Now obviously this was 10 years ago, and some legislation may have been changed. Of course, no mention of soapboxes either, but I suspect that as long as you have mirrors and reflectors (no lights req'd if in daylight, as per motorbikes, I believe?)
Hope this helps understand the current legal status of our hobbies :-)