I think the purpose of the is to placate one or more locals who are making a fuss by making the complaint which is presumably engine revving, fast acceleration etc. official. "Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) propose to deal with a particular nuisance in a particular area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community." At the same time it is like serving notice to everyone that you have been warned and we are watching you. I would expect to see some plod turning up for "friendly chats" to bike riders. Then cameras being installed on the road. Perhaps the assistant police types wandering about sometimes. Then I'd imagine that the bike riders will start to roll into the place like its Mother Theresa's front garden. And if they don't, some bike checks might start being made frequently and the friendliness of the coppers will diminish. But thats all purely a guess. [/i]
You have just described the goings on at Loomies on the A32/A272 crossroads and that’s been going on for a number of years and still the antisocial few continue to make a nuisance of themselves. I can think of several other meets that have over the years stopped or scaled down. The Lord Derby at Hook springs to mind and Avebury to name two. Andy
It is an offence to drive in a convoy?!!... So, what is the legal definition of the number of bikes for a convoy?.... even when I do not travel there with other people I invariably end up travelling into there with others. Is it still a convoy if you are not travelling "with" them?!...
So I joined the public teams meeting last night with the police and and councillors etc. Just to listen in. They confirmed that CONVOY is going to be applied subjectively. e.g if it's causing a nusience - it's illegal. If it's just a bike club doing a charity ride, then no problem. Many residents are pushing for an additional Average speed camera zone at the entrance to mickleham, as at the moment you can pull off and not go through a second zone. Residents were asking for acoustic camera's to be fitted, this was interesting as the Police Inspector present shot that down in flames, stating that there was no type approved, system that the force could use. Lots of trials, yes, but nothing that is actually legally enforceable... thought that was VERY interesting as we've all been aware of the loomies microphones for some time. There is a Parking Marshal to be installed by Rykas - I hope he comes equipped with thick skin as unless he can get a good relationship up and running with the attendees, I can see that going down like a lead balloon, as much as I agree it's needed. Police were incredibly vocal in expressing their intention NOT to be targeting legal and safe bike riders. Just the minority. One of the councilors was very pro-bike, Bob I think (!) he was keen to get the biker's pov across and explain that bikes are intrinsically noisy - especially older vehicles, No MOT requirement for sound etc.... It seems that local residents will be out with their cameras taking images of people and their machines they feel are causing a nuisance- again can see that ending well (!) I did fall asleep about 90% of the way through (apparently the 3rd Margarita did for me..) The teams connection woke me up this morning bleeping that I was the only one in attendance... lol
Nope. Still far too cold and it’s raining in the afternoon anyway. Plenty of bike action to watch on TV in the warm tomorrow.
