I am totally gobsmacked by this footage – I know it’s widely reported that these events can build up resentment and animosity, and I’m no CM advocate, but this kind of violence is reprehensible, even more so because it came from a Police Officer (Patrick Pogan) who maintained in his statement that the cyclist (Christopher Long) was to blame:
“[Christopher Long] steered the … bicycle in the direction of [Officer Pogan] and drove the bicycle directly into [Officer Pogan]’s body, causing [Officer Pogan] to fall to the ground and causing [Officer Pogan] to suffer lacerations on [his] forearms.”
The Manhattan attorney’s office filed charges of “attempted assault in the 3rd Degree” against Chris Long as a result of Pogan’s statement. After his arrest, Chris Long spent 26 hours in jail as a result of the charges files against him.
This morning I saw two police officers in Bishopsgate standing either side of a set of traffic lights. A moped pulled up and into the ‘bike box’ alongside a few cyclists. One of the officers leant over, ‘had a word’ and handed the guy a piece of paper. A ticket!? Wohoo, justice in line with January’s actions. But no, she just gave him a leaflet. And what a masterpiece it is. Unsatisfied with the obviously baffling instructions given in rule 178 of the highway code, the Police’s leaflet is full of concise, direct snippets of advice. My personal favourite is:
Unless the vehicle is either on the stop line or so close to the stop line that it would be unsafe to stop prior to the first stop line, then the vehicle may cross the first stop line but must stop before the second stop line.
For God’s sake, stop saying ’stop line’! Click here to view the leaflet (opens in a new window).
This traffic offense can carry a £60 fine and up to 3 points on your license. But never mind that, we’ll fine cyclists for jumping reds, but just give motorists a leaflet, or a send them on a course instead. That’ll teach ‘em!
Londoners are being encouraged by the police to fill in the Ward Policing Consultation document. Apparently, in conjunction with crime figures, the information gleaned from the survey is extremely useful to the police to “improve the quality of life for the people who live and work within the City of London…To help us target and address your issues”. So, the first question on the list, the issue that takes precedence over all others is:
I mean come on, firstly I can think of a few other things that need to be addressed before cyclists and skateboarders! And, as noted by the London Cycling Campaign in the City, it ’s a bit telling that they put cycling first on the list. Not to mention that the semantics are skewed – anyone concerned about driving? No? What about dangerous driving? Ah well, yes we’re all concerned about dangerous anything aren’t we?
Quite frankly I expected more – this isn’t some village idiot bobby outfit, it’s the City Police – surely they can drum up a meaningful questionnaire!? The data will be as statistically valid as a photo of my middle finger on a spreadsheet. At least it’s better than what looks like their first attempt (from London Cycling Campaign in the City article):
Cycling isn’t necessarily dangerous, but dangerous cycling? It has to be by it’s very definition! We’re going to end up with a lot more people being concerned about dangerous cycling than skateboarders that’s for sure. Tut tut.
