Pillion passengers - riding backwards

[blamy]

Hey,

New user here, but was legitimately interested on peoples views about something I read today, apparently its completely legal to have your pillion passenger ride backwards on the bike,

Sounds completely stupid, but i found it here: https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q532.htm

Something I'd never try myself, but there doesn't seem to be much chatter on this particularly topic, (either because people don't know, or people just aren't brave enough?)

I can't imagine somebody doing this without getting stopped (despite what the law says)

Is it *really* legal, and would you try it?

[arry]

The actual statute says very little to specify how you should be sitting other than astride. The Highway Code states you 'should' but that's not MUST.


It's legal to sit backwards if one should wish, but why you'd bother who knows and if you did most coppers wouldn't care much for the exact law and would probably book you for dangerous driving or such like as a point of authority if you pointed out their failings.

[Casper]

Knock yourself out mate and go for it. If you are pillion and have a shunt tell me what way your spine bent.

[Hahadumball]

id try it.. but not fast.. fuck that...
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[andym]

Isn't that usually how the cameramen sit when filming stuff like bicycle races, runs.... and I'm sure there has been the odd cameraman caught sitting backwards on topgear

[doggone]

[yen_powell]

I rode pillion backwards once. Scariest thing I have ever done.....and I've been in a Moroccan public toilet.

On a normal bike there is nothing to stop yourself falling towards the rear wheel under acceleration. The camera men who do it have stirrups to brace against.
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[Moxey]

Just go caught up in the Tour De Yorkshire at Thirsk, as said a few cameramen sat reverse on pans and BMWs fair few coppers there too but in fairness they have valid reason I guess whilst Joe public doing the same are more likely to get slapped on wrist for taking the piss.
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[Rogerborg]

[J.M.]

I wouldn't try it, because it's completely pointless. I hate riding pillion as it is though.

However, as andym says, it's got its uses. One of those is recording video:

https://www.steadicam-facilities.co.uk/images/Motorbike2.jpg
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[Rogerborg]

[bamt]

Yes, he does.

https://www.steadicam-facilities.co.uk/images/Motorbike4.jpg

What impresses me with the camerabikes following pro cycle racing is when the cameraman is standing up on the back of the bike, whilst it is going through twisties at a reasonable lean. Must be a lot of trust between the cameraman and biker - either one of them messes up and they'd be off.

[Rogerborg]

[MCN]

[doggone]

They seem to stand quite a bit, one seemed to have sort of frame to hold while standing.
Nowadays you could easily have a separate viewfinder attached to the helmet like FPV - so no need to have your eye to the camera.

[Lord Percy]

The first time I ever went pillion I was 14-ish and went on the back on some lad's moped.

I sat backwards. Can't remember why. Most difficult thing ever, nearly fell off, very scary.

Definitely needs specially adapted foot rests.

Shan't do it again

[Vracktal]

I've done it before, a few times when I wanted to lean my back up against something. It's good fun and not had a problem with the police doing it. Works best if the bike has grab handles, and having long legs probably helps too.
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