Amongst other things, I’ve taken the mirrors off to stop them snapping the brackets on the handlebars. Anyway, long story short, the Old Bill came sniffing around whilst were parked up at the pub.

Whilst he didn’t nick me ‘this time’, he said if he saw me with no mirrors again, he would. I didn’t want to argue with him, but I thought bikes didn’t need mirrors?

Answer

An ill-informed copper. Not cool. He is wrong. You are right. The answer lies in The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

If you are struggling to sleep, have a gander at these. However, before you fall asleep, s.33 paragraph 5 states there is ‘No requirement’ for ‘A two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a sidecar attached’ to have mirrors.

Therefore, if you do ever get nicked for this, defend it. I will happily represent you. The only thing I would add is that where a motorcycle does have mirrors they need to be attached and in good order, etc.

Lastly, you’re not the only one who falls off whilst riding the muddy stuff…

Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast

Motorcycle Monthly January 2020