5: Bikes and the Law

5.1: Information about UK Traffic Law

(Courtesy of The Rat)
http://website.lineone.net/~the.rat/

5.2: Children riding pillion

The group has many different views on this subject some stronger than others, however, the main points on which agreement was found are:

1) Is the child strong enough to hold on?
2) Is the child responsible enough to do as they are told?
3) Can their feet reach the pegs? (This is a legal requirement regardless of age)

5.3: Legal number plate

http://www.dvla-som.co.uk/general/newplates.html

5.4: CBT / Direct access / learning to ride

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/rdmcycle.htm

5.5: The Metropolitan Police website

http://www.met.police.uk/

5.6: The Highway Code

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/

5.7: Vehicle Inspectorate website

http://www.via.gov.uk/

5.8: GATSOs / Speed cameras

FLASH FLASH, oops

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5.9: Do the Police get all the revenue from GATSOs

Up until now, all fines have gone to central Government. From later this year (1999) they will be allowed to keep a small percentage for admin fees. The estimate is that each fine (on average) costs £15 in admin. Each force from November '99 will be allowed to keep £7 - so don't get too worried about an increase in tickets!

5.10: Full list of all GATSO speed cameras

There are lots of sites out there, use a search engine.

5.11: Fines, endorsements

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/endorsem.htm
or try this section of the Speed Trap Bible

5.12: Drink/driving - legal limits

35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath
80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood
107 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine

5.13: Registering an imported bike

5.14: List of codes that traffic police use

Thanks to the MMJ for this list

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5.15: Getting documents from insurance companies

My insurance company is taking too long to send through my documents. Is there any way I can speed up the process?

(thanks to The Rat for this information)
Ring your insurance company, tell them you've been stopped by the police, required to produce your insurance and issued form HORT1 to that effect (7 day wonder). If they don't send out the document in time for you to produce, you will be holding them responsible and will call the company secretary as a witness in your defence should you have to attend court. They hate it - but they have to send them out immediately.
You cant force them to send out the full certificate as long as they send cover notes on time but you can force them to send out the policy - again just tell them the police need to see it to clarify your insurance!

5.16: markings on modern exhausts that make them legal

"BS AU 193 A: 1990/T3" (with the A: bit in 1/2 sized typeface)

5.17: Legal minimum tread for motorcycle tyres

Grooves of the tread must be at least 1mm throughout a continous band measuring at least 75% of the tread breadth and around the entire circumference.
In a case where the original tread did not extend beyond 3/4 of the tread breadth then any groove must be at least 1mm.
The base of any groove which showed in the original tread must be clearly visible.
Motorcycle not exceeding 50cc only has to comply with the last one.

5.18: Useful legal sites

(checked & approved by ukrm's own mild-mannered janitor)

www.lawontheweb.co.uk - free legal information and advice including a free Road Reckoner Section (under Free Legal Advice), where we can advise on possible penalties for Road Traffic Offences.