Standing on Pegs- on UK Roads

[RodYork]

I read somewhere that it is illegal to ride standing on your pegs on UK roads- (ie standing up to see over the brow of a hill, or to see down a road etc)- Out of control of the vehicle??- similar crime to wheelieing a bike on a public highway??

can a more knowledgeable person than myself enlighten me as to the legality of this please!

[YEN_POWELL]

Byways are public roads and nearly everyone including police riders stand on the pegs there.

[jarl]

Hope not, I do it approx once a day to get a view of whether it's safe to filter on my commute!

[RodYork]

Thanks Yen- you were quick off the mark there. I have just " re-searched" my question ( should have done a more indepth search first time)- it HAS been asked before...please accept my apologies.

For those wanting the answer- apparently it is not "ut of control" but you should not do it on motorways etc- depends upon which side of the bed the officer has risen!- A more definitive answer would be better though I admit- so if you do have a definitive answer- please enlighten!

[GOG 007]

Having followed BTbloke on more than one occasion he stands on his pegs on A/B motorways, dirt tracks, green laning, and fishing me out of large puddles, I just assumed he was stretching his legs

[mad4it028]

my old road legal montesa trials bike had no seat so had to stand never had any problems

[pete h]

depends on which side of the bed the officer has risen!- A more definitive answer would be better though I admit- so if you do have a definitive answer- please enlighten!

I always get out of the same side of the bed.

Not really possible to be definitive on this one Rod, because there is no legal definition which specifically states that a rider must be seated at all times, I believe in the USA there is actually such legislation, and standing on the pegs on a public highway would result in you being ticketed for "stunting".

In the UK the only people who are specifically mentioned as needing to be seated are the pillion, who must also have their feet on footpegs. Nowhere does it actually say that the rider must be seated.

In my view the whole thing would fall under whether or not in the mind of an officer the observed riding behaviour constituted sufficient grounds to believe that the rider was committing an offence of careless driving through failing to exercise due care and attention.

Due Care means you are expected to show a reasonable standard of care and attention to the road you are using and to other drivers using that road - being in full and complete control of your vehicle and able to respond appropriately to any situation.

It's a common sense issue really, off road it's fine and necessary so not a problem at all, on a tarmac'd A road or mway it's a luxury, you don't need to do it but it may be a nice extra, if you're popping off your seat to take advantage of your height to obtain a better view for a potential overtake or to ascertain if there's a hazard ahead, then I wouldn't expect to be out of the seat for more than a few seconds, and again that is probably a justifiable use of the technique.

Spending any great length of time pegging on a main road though is just going to look like you're showboating, serves no purpose and is going to render you liable to a tug at the very least.

Maybe it does depend on sides of beds?

[alpslapper]

Every road in my area, including mine, has speedbumps, some of them have the gaps for the buses, but most are just viscous - one in particular near the church is postively a kerbside !!!! I stand on the pegs going over these all the time, much more comfortable, and I can sustain my speed without constantly breaking for them - also means I can easily slip by the cars when they do break for them.

[RodYork]

Pete H- thanks for the reply- have you ever heard/got work related evidence of people getting sumonsed for this particular offence of "driving wthout.." ie specifically on the pegs.

Thanks for this ( I note your location too)

[Sharribee]

Pete just wanted to say thanks. What a brilliant, informative response. Didn't know the bit about pillions but had the feeling it would come into undue care and attention.