A cyclist has blasted Greater Manchester Police (GMP) after he was forced to correct an officer's knowledge of the highway code while out on a ride in Bolton.
Grahame Cooper, from Bolton, was on a group bike ride with three other cyclists riding two abreast, when a GMP officer in a liveried van rolled down his window and told them that they should be riding in single file next to the kerb.
Experienced cyclist Grahame politely corrected the officer, before posting the video to YouTube and criticising the 'shocking' and 'ignorant' behaviour. He has since received an apology from GMP, who say they will 'educate' the officer involved.
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In the video, the officer can be seen pulling up next to the group in a GMP van and telling them: "You can't be riding out in the road like this," to which Grahame replies, "Yes we can".
The officer then tells him he 'has to ride next to the kerb' and is 'supposed to ride in single file'. Grahame replies: "Talk to the people in your traffic division... they'll explain to you what correct road positioning is for cyclists."
Tweeting after the incident, Grahame said: "It's always annoying when a van driver tries to lecture you on his ignorant, made-up rules for cyclists. It's even more shocking when it comes from a serving police officer driving a liveried @GMPolice van!"
However, speaking to the Manchester Evening News , he praised GMP for responding to his complaint within a matter of 'hours' and said he was 'very satisfied' with the 'speedy' reply. He now hopes the incident, on Friday September 30, will help raise awareness of recent changes to the highway code to cyclists and other road users.
"It would be good if the opportunity could be used to explain the changes that were made earlier in the year to clarify existing guidance on cycle road positioning, which has been in place, and taught on the national Bikeability training programme, for decades," he told the M.E.N.
In January, the highway code was updated “to enhance safety for all road users [and] particularly those most at risk”. These amendments included clarifications to existing guidance, stating cyclists should ride in the middle of a lane for increased visibility and safety. It also states that it 'can be safer' for cyclists to ride two abreast, 'particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders'.
A spokesperson for GMP told Grahame: "I have reviewed your complaint and the video footage and would like to apologise on behalf of GMP and the officer that had spoken to you. I am a cyclist myself and can understand your frustrations.
"I will ensure words of advice are given to the officer along with some education around traffic offences/cycling legalities."
Grahame also suggested to GMP that wider guidance training to officers could be helpful, and received the response: "I will be sure to make staff aware during briefing due to the changes in the highway code in the past 12 months."
GMP declined to comment any further.
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