Fixed Penalty Notice for not obeying Cyclist Dismount sign

[lizzard40]

Hi there guys,

 

On a nice Sunday morning en route to work I was cycling on a designated two-way cycling path which runs along the main road in London. However after one point there was a ROAD CLOSED sign on the main road right after crossroad with traffic lights which I obeyed. Some people were cutting trees or doing some other maintenance. There was red CYCLISTS DISMOUNT sign on the SIDEWALK on which I DIDN'T go, instead staying in the cyclist lane.

 

On the cyclist path there was a lorry parked which was taking 80% of the cyclist path but still enough space for me to go trough. I slowed down to the point of barely moving in order not to hit anyone behind and after everything cleared I, normally accelerated back to cruising speed to be scared by a policeman that jumped right in front of me shouting "why hadn't I stopped as there was cyclists dismount sign earlier". I panicked and I lied that "I didn't see the sign" which is really plausible as the sign was positioned on the sidewalk.

 

long story short - I didn't manage to talk my way out of it and got a fine - I didn't argue with them or insult them, I just didn't think to explain that I'm one of the few student's that spends his sundays in the summer to work and catch up on money for next year. When all the others are on holidays or something. NEVERMIND, I've accepted that already lol..

 

Yesterday I dug into the internet and actually found out that the CYCLISTS DISMOUNT sign is not enforceable but instead is just advisory and if you don't obey it you are not actually committing an offence.

 

Right afterwards about 6 cyclists who were riding just as me got told off but NO FINE, which was really taking, but I've accepted it as well.

 

It's no problem to pay the fine, is just my finance is really tight and if it's just to simulate work - it's not gonna happen.

 

I also got only Fixed Penalty Notice - Part 1 - Payment slip. Is there supposed to be something else like describing the offence or anything? As I currently have only instructions on how to pay, my address and Court hearing request at the back which is not really an option as I can't be bothered with all the other happening at the moment..

. Self sustaining student in London can make you lose your mind, I'm serious!

 

Please advise what are your thoughts on this situation.

 

Regards,

lizzard

 

As I didn't make it clear in the original post: according to the policeman the problem was that I didn't dismount from the bike and used the walking path for the closed section, which was really a minute-long walking.

And the policemen were from the Cycling Police division so I thought they really know what they are doing and will do it just.