Bare-faced cheek

The vagaries of cycling laws in New Zealand were laid bare in December after police arrested a naked, drunk cyclist. For police in Timaru, a major port city on the south-east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, it was too much. In the name of decency they would not just stand by and be taunted and teased right in the middle of the high street. Apparently a police sergeant said that the man had not been charged with indecent exposure. Instead, the ever vigilant police decided the main issue was his lack of
May 20, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The vagaries of cycling laws in New Zealand were laid bare in December after police arrested a naked, drunk cyclist. For police in Timaru, a major port city on the south-east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, it was too much. In the name of decency they would not just stand by and be taunted and teased right in the middle of the high street. Apparently a police sergeant said that the man had not been charged with indecent exposure. Instead, the ever vigilant police decided the main issue was his lack of a helmet and subsequently fined him accordingly. Failing to arrest him for naked cycling was no cover-up by the police. And even though there was a whiff of drinking and driving, or cycling as the case was, police were powerless to arrest him – cycling while under the influence is not illegal in New Zealand. The precedent for going au naturel had been set back in 2010 when another nude New Zealand cyclist, Nick Lowe, won his appeal to the High Court against his conviction for offensive behaviour. His original conviction was based on his nudity causing offense to a woman motorist who complained.

Related Content

  • Slow down! Too many UK speeders being caught.
    February 19, 2015
    The UK’s police forces have been working with local communities to keep a watchful camera eye on speeders tearing up quiet village streets and suburban roads. The Community Speed Watch programme has successfully enabled volunteers to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding and poor driving. Many use hand-held cameras and speed-guns connected to warning signs to let drivers know they are breaking the law. Sometimes car details are noted and handed to the police which successfully prosecute the offending d
    Read More
  • Tougher sentencing required for serious driving offences
    July 13, 2012
    The average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving in the UK is just four years – 62 per cent shorter than for manslaughter, according to road safety charity the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). While the average sentence length of manslaughter is 6.6 years, those sentenced to prison for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving are given an average sentence of 1.3 years. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs has an average sentence of 4.3 years
    Read More
  • Caught at last
    July 11, 2016
    A British man who managed to evade being caught for a number of driving offences over several years is now counting the cost. He had amassed a series of speeding offences in various high-end vehicles. In one incident he could be clearly seen in a speed camera image, making an obscene gesture at the camera. But each time the man was sent a letter informing him of an offence for which he would be prosecuted, he invented a fictitious name and personal details and claimed the person was living at one of the var
    Read More
  • Daring duos?
    March 27, 2014
    In the US, a mother became her son’s partner in crime by acting as his getaway driver following a street robbery. After the son stole a pensioner’s wallet, the mother drove him away from the scene of the crime. The son did tell his mother what he had just done, as the not-so-daring duo drove away. The mother refused to let officers search their home, explaining that her son had thrown away the empty wallet, having spent the US$40 it had contained. The son was charged with robbery.
    Read More

Highlighted Content