Is Riding a Bicycle Too Slowly Illegal in England?

No, riding a bicycle too slowly is not illegal in England. There is a natural minimum cycling speed below which a cyclist would fall off the bike anyway. While it is generally advisable to keep up with traffic flow, there is no universal legal requirement for cyclists to reach specific speeds.

Contextual Signage and Enforcement

A recent experience where a sign read “police enforcing speed” has raised concerns about speed enforcement on the road. However, it is important to note that passing a sign indicating speed enforcement does not automatically mean the police are patrolling the area for speed limits. These signs are more likely to be placed in areas where speed violations are common or where accidents have occurred due to speeding. Drivers, including cyclists, may still be stopped for going too slowly, as discussed next.

Slower Cycling and Traffic Obstruction

While there is no general minimum speed for cyclists, there is a consideration of causing interference with the flow of traffic. If a cyclist is unable to keep up with the speed of traffic in a car lane, they may be considered as a potential hindrance to traffic flow. This is the same principle that applies to drivers in cars.

Legal Framework and Minimum Speeds

In England, the law does not set any general minimum speeds for road users. Local highway authorities have specific powers to apply minimum speed limits for motor vehicles on specified roads, but these powers do not extend to pedestrians, herds, equestrians, or cyclists. Therefore, cyclists, like other road users, are not legally required to maintain a specific speed.

Personal Responsibility and Consideration

While there is no mandatory minimum speed for cyclists, individuals should consider whether their speed is appropriate for the conditions of the road. A cyclist who deliberately rides abnormally slowly with the intention of causing obstruction or nuisance could be in breach of the law. However, such situations are rare, and the prosecution would face a significant burden of proof. For instance, a cyclist riding abnormally slowly and causing a substantial delay, such as a 30-minute delay to 20 cars, might be considered inconsiderate.

Conclusion

In summary, riding a bicycle too slowly is not illegal in England. Cyclists should focus on maintaining reasonable speed and consider the impact of their actions on traffic flow. Speed limits and traffic conditions should be observed, but intentional slow riding for the sake of causing inconvenience would be a rare and unlikely legal scenario.