Road Traffic Act 1988

31 Regulation of cycle racing on public ways. E+W+S

(1) A person who promotes or takes part in a race or trial of speed on a public way between cycles is guilty of an offence, unless the race or trial—

(a) is authorised, and

(b) is conducted in accordance with any conditions imposed,

by or under regulations under this section.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations authorise, or provide for authorising, for the purposes of subsection (1) above, the holding on a public way other than a bridleway—

(a) of races or trials of speed of any class or description, or

(b) of a particular race or trial of speed,

in such cases as may be prescribed and subject to such conditions as may be imposed by or under the regulations.

(3) Regulations under this section may—

(a) prescribe the procedure to be followed, and the particulars to be given, in connection with applications for authorisation under the regulations, and

(b) make different provision for different classes or descriptions of race or trial.

(4) Without prejudice to any other powers exercisable in that behalf, the chief officer of police may give directions with respect to the movement of, or the route to be followed by, vehicular traffic during any period, being directions which it is necessary or expedient to give in relation to that period to prevent or mitigate—

(a) congestion or obstruction of traffic, or

(b) danger to or from traffic,

in consequence of the holding of a race or trial of speed authorised by or under regulations under this section.

(5) Directions under subsection (4) above may include a direction that any road or part of a road specified in the direction shall be closed during the period to vehicles or to vehicles of a class so specified.

[F1 (6) In this section “public way” means, in England and Wales, a highway, and in Scotland, a public road but does not include a footpath.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 31(6) substituted (1.7.1992) by Road Traffic Act 1991 (c. 40, SIF 107:1), s. 48, Sch. 4 para.49; ; S.I. 1992/1286, art. 2,Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 31(2): transfer of certain functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/1750, art. 2, Sch. 1 (with art. 7); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3

S. 31(2): transfer of functions (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, arts. 1, 2, Sch. 1