Obscuring number plates

[Scott_rider]

As a newbie here I don't know if this has been covered before but this is my take on it:

When we've been out on the dirt bikes (road legal KTMs) we obscure our number plates in any photos that we post (usually on TBM) because we take the view that even though we ride legal byways someone may say that they saw us in an illegal area and then pass on our details to the Police. Much as that may seem a bit far fetched it does unfortunately happen so we err on the side of caution to avoid the possibility and the subsequent aggro of proving our innocence. Sad but true.

[Mad Cow]

Fair point, if I had a pound for everytime I got told "you can't ride on this footpath/bridleway/cycle path" when it's actually a Byway I'd be able to afford a round of drinks :laugh:

The lack of knowledge of right of way status amongst anti's is seemingly endemic!

Mind you after the first lane my number plate is usually unreadable due to the automatic registration number obscuring system.... also known as mud

[Richard Simpson]

OK, here’s an example of how things go wrong.

It happened to a group of my friends, who were out trail riding.

I haven’t included all the details, because I don’t want to get sued.

The four riders, all middle-aged/old chaps were riding their Honda CRF230s and similar bikes up a UCR as part of a day’s trail riding.

The UCR in question climbs up through a wood, then on to an open piece of moor top where there is no real defined route: you just ride straight on and pick up the defined route on the other side.

After they ‘broke cover’ from the wood, they noticed in the far distance, and a long way from where they should have been, a group of motorcyclists tearing about on Yamaha 250s.

They decided they should just carry on with their ride…then the motorcyclists tore over to them in a very aggressive manner, and skidded to a halt all around them.

At that point they noticed the riders were wearing Police-marked jackets.

Out came the notebooks and the attitude…”we’ve had complaints about a group answering your description, you shouldn’t be here, shut up we don’t want to hear your excuses, Sec 59s for the lot of you…and we’ll find something wrong with your bikes” (which, by the way, they did not).

The guy who was leading the run was devastated. He was sure he was on a right of way, but he’d mistakenly led his mates (all in their 50s and 60s) into a world of trouble.

Fortunately they were all TRF members, and consulted the organization for advice.

Acting on that advice, the leader visited the county record office to confirm the status of the route he was on. He also asked the manager what the police’s procedure was for checking rights of way.

“They never have, we’ve never seen them,” was the reply.

Anyway, to cut the long story short, the riders concerned did eventually get their warnings withdrawn, but only after official complaints had been lodged and a lot of time and worry had been expended.

A cynic might take the view that a number of police officers had got together, persuaded their boss to buy them some spanky new bikes and kit ‘on the firm’, and were handing out Sec 59s willy-nilly to justify the expense, while having great fun earning overtime riding illegally and bullying honest citizens and making the law up as they went along.

I prefer to think that there’s another explanation, but you’ll have to excuse me if I can’t actually provide it.

[CRAIGREVO]

That doesn't prove that you can get a section 59 by putting your reg on the tintaweb though. :unsure:

They got it direct from the police on the lane.

[2 wheeled tourist]

For privacy, don't forget that this is the bikes identification number and with it comes a lot of info of both bike and rider, such as address etc. One wouldn't simply post a picture of oneself and put your Postcode underneath...after all, this is The Internet, the World Wide Web... :unsure: :blink:

[jaz1259]

OK, here’s an example of how things go wrong.

It happened to a group of my friends, who were out trail riding.

I haven’t included all the details, because I don’t want to get sued.

The four riders, all middle-aged/old chaps were riding their Honda CRF230s and similar bikes up a UCR as part of a day’s trail riding.

The UCR in question climbs up through a wood, then on to an open piece of moor top where there is no real defined route: you just ride straight on and pick up the defined route on the other side.

After they ‘broke cover’ from the wood, they noticed in the far distance, and a long way from where they should have been, a group of motorcyclists tearing about on Yamaha 250s.

They decided they should just carry on with their ride…then the motorcyclists tore over to them in a very aggressive manner, and skidded to a halt all around them.

At that point they noticed the riders were wearing Police-marked jackets.

Out came the notebooks and the attitude…”we’ve had complaints about a group answering your description, you shouldn’t be here, shut up we don’t want to hear your excuses, Sec 59s for the lot of you…and we’ll find something wrong with your bikes” (which, by the way, they did not).

The guy who was leading the run was devastated. He was sure he was on a right of way, but he’d mistakenly led his mates (all in their 50s and 60s) into a world of trouble.

Fortunately they were all TRF members, and consulted the organization for advice.

Acting on that advice, the leader visited the county record office to confirm the status of the route he was on. He also asked the manager what the police’s procedure was for checking rights of way.

“They never have, we’ve never seen them,” was the reply.

Anyway, to cut the long story short, the riders concerned did eventually get their warnings withdrawn, but only after official complaints had been lodged and a lot of time and worry had been expended.

A cynic might take the view that a number of police officers had got together, persuaded their boss to buy them some spanky new bikes and kit ‘on the firm’, and were handing out Sec 59s willy-nilly to justify the expense, while having great fun earning overtime riding illegally and bullying honest citizens and making the law up as they went along.

I prefer to think that there’s another explanation, but you’ll have to excuse me if I can’t actually provide it.

God what a anti establishment quote, I hope you never call the Police when your in trouble you shouldn't have such a negative view.
Another way you can look at it is people and land owners had been making a lot of complaints about bikers and demanding something done therefore the police acted. People winge at the police for doing and they winge when they don't! They can't win

[Micky]

Anyway, to cut the long story short, the riders concerned did eventually get their warnings withdrawn ....

So what's all the fuss about then ....

:huh:

[jaz1259]

Anyway, to cut the long story short, the riders concerned did eventually get their warnings withdrawn ....

So what's all the fuss about then ....

:huh:

You say you were in CID Micky does the picture indicate you were also a TRAFFIC RAT! At some point

[Richard Simpson]

So pointing out how the police abused their authority makes me anti-establishment, does it?

Or is it the police abuse of the trust that the public once placed in them that has made me recount this sad tale?

TBH when I was in trouble and I tried to involve the police (provided clear evidence of a fraud and abuse of company law that cost me £3.5k and others more) they weren't interested, so I doubt I'd waste my time again.

And if landowners and people had been making complaints then the police should have done some leg work and targeted those responsible. Instead, they were riding around making tyre marks leaving further 'evidence' of the nuisance they were supposed to be dealing with. They were, by all accounts, having a good time doing it though!

FYI I know (and indeed sometimes ride with) some serving police officers. They were horrified by the incident I outlined above.

That you are not should cause you to stop and reflect for a moment...as to just how far you seem to have sunk.

[Richard Simpson]

Anyway, to cut the long story short, the riders concerned did eventually get their warnings withdrawn ....

So what's all the fuss about then ....

:huh:

Worry, inconvenience, days off work...and all because those who are supposed to enforce the law appear not to understand the law they are paid to enforce.

If I do poor work...I don't get paid.

Shame the same discipline doesn't apply elsewhere, because it seems certain policemen are given toys and paid to play on them when they haven't done their homework.

That's what the fuss is about...you seem to think it's acceptable.

Oh dear!