Backwards Pillion

[Vinyardo]

As I understand, it is "technically" legal for a pillion passenger to sit facing backwards - just saw this article and it reminded me:
https://www.visordown.com/rose-tinted-spectacle/nicked-by-a-horse/16998.html
Has anyone ever tried this? Or know of a legal reason not too?

It seems dangerous but somehow fun!
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[pinkyfloyd]

Its not recomended to ride with a pillion facing backwards but as the law said "should" then its legal. But then if you watch things like the tour de france and marathon runners the camera man is on the bike facing backwards.

https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2444227128_b143218edc.jpg?v=0
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Looks like a change to the wording of the highway code at some point.

Fully legal as far as I know for a pillion to be facing backwards and never heard of any change in the law about it. The current highway code does say they should be facing forward

From an old (1987) edition of the highway code there is no mention of facing forwards that I can see.

[Vinyardo]

So as the wording is "Should" rather than "Must" it is not directly illegal, but could count for something like careless driving?

It is annoyingly ambiguous...
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Not sure it could be counted as careless riding, just used against you if you crash because of it.

As said, until recently it wasn't even mentioned and is quite commonly done when filming cycle races.

All the best

Keith
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[27cows]

Not a thread about carrying persons with learning difficulties then.
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[Vinyardo]

[Chalky.]

[iooi]

ll the ones you see at events all have proper mounted footrests. Maybe this was the reason the link got the tug.....

Anyone else noticed the increasing trend by car manufactures that have reverted to reverse opening of rear doors..... Yet the reason they stopped doing this years ago was safety, as anyone clipping a open door would push it shut onto anyone getting out, not just rip it off the boy work...

Wonder how long before the legal suits start flying around
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[Mr Hammers]

[DrDonnyBrago]

[fiveus]

This is what the law states:
You MUST NOT carry more than one pillion passenger who MUST sit astride the machine on a proper seat. They [b]should [/b]face forward with both feet on the footrests. You MUST NOT carry a pillion passenger unless your motor cycle is designed to do so. Provisional licence holders MUST NOT carry a pillion passenger.
[Laws RTA 1988 sect 23, MV(DL)R 1999 reg 16(6) & CUR 1986 reg 102]

As the chap said should is only an advisory word

[Kickstart]

Hi

Picky point but that isn't what the law states. That is what the highway code states. The law doesn't care which way the pillion is looking.

All the best

Keith
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[colin1]

I dont know if its legal or not, but I do think it would be more dangerous with a pillion facing backward.

I cant quite rationalise that though, as if there was a rear luggage rack, they would have something to hold on to. So in theory they should be ok, but there is still something that makes me think it would be more dangerous.
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[Tavares]

from experience of riding field bikes when i was younger, riding with the pilion facing backwards is quite tricky.

I put it down to the fact they're facing backwards so can't see either the road or riders position which throws the balance of the bike off, so corners are 'interesting' to say the least.

I can only imagine the camera guys in the tour de france have had plenty of practice. Could be wrong tho, feel free to correct me if anyone knows different.
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[colin1]

[Vinyardo]