A cyclist who placed his trust in a digital navigation app found himself in a highly dangerous and illegal situation, pedalling along the M6 Toll motorway in the pitch black without any lights.
Early Hours Motorway Incident
The alarming event unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning, January 19. Officers from Staffordshire Police were dispatched to the busy motorway after the force received multiple 999 calls from alarmed motorists. The callers reported a lone bicycle rider on the carriageway, posing a serious risk to himself and other road users.
Police located the man, who was riding a bicycle with chunky tyres and wearing a black rucksack. He was completely oblivious to the grave danger he was in and the fact that he was committing a traffic offence by being on the motorway network.
Sat Nav Guidance Gone Wrong
When questioned by the Staffordshire Road Crime Team, the cyclist offered a simple explanation for his presence on the high-speed road: he had been following directions from Google Maps. The app had apparently instructed him to use the route, leading him to join the restricted motorway.
To compound the error, his bicycle was not fitted with any lights, making him virtually invisible in the pre-dawn darkness. Astonishingly, officers reported that the cyclist had passed several exit junctions where he could have left the motorway, seemingly unaware of his mistake until confronted.
Removal and Reported for Offence
The police action was clear and necessary to resolve the immediate hazard. The male and his cycle were removed from the motorway network to ensure everyone's safety. Furthermore, he was reported for the traffic offence.
Sharing details of the incident, Staffordshire Police's Road Crime Team 3 stated online: "This morning we received multiple calls about this chap merrily riding down the M6 Toll road on his cycle. Not only did he join the motorway because Google Maps said he should. But had no lights on, and even once realising what he told us was his mistake, passed several junctions where he could have exited."
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of using common sense alongside technology. While navigation apps are powerful tools, they are not infallible, and cyclists must ensure they are on permitted routes and are visible, especially during hours of darkness.
