New ‘death by dangerous cycling’ law could punish killer riders

[Technics 1210]

Killer cyclists will be prosecuted in a similar way to motorists who cause death by dangerous driving under proposed new laws.

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has proposed to replace the current “archaic” laws that limit the maximum sentence to two years, with a new offence of causing death by dangerous cycling.

He said grieving relatives of victims of killer cyclists had “waited too long for this straightforward measure” to tackle a “selfish minority” of aggressive riders.

Mr Shapps said the overhaul was needed to “impress on cyclists the real harm they can cause when speed is combined with lack of care”.

Campaigners have been calling for cyclists to be treated the same as drivers since mother-of-two Kim Briggs, 44, was killed by a rider as she crossed a road in east London in February 2016.

She was hit by Charlie Alliston, then 18, who was illegally riding a fixed-wheel bike with no front brakes at 18mph. He was jailed for just 18 months because no law existed to charge him with the equivalent of causing death by dangerous driving.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...erous-cycling-law-could-punish-killer-riders/

Mr Shapps has flagged changing road laws so cyclists have to abide by 20mph speed limits or face penalties.

Less than a fortnight after vowing to create a "death by dangerous cycling" law that will treat killer cyclists the same as motorists, he said he wanted to stop certain behaviour on the roads.

The Welwyn Hatfield MP told the Daily Mail: "Somewhere where cyclists are actually not breaking the law is when they speed, and that cannot be right, so I absolutely propose extending speed limit restrictions to cyclists.

"Particularly where you've got 20mph limits on increasing numbers of roads, cyclists can easily exceed those, so I want to make speed limits apply to cyclists.

"That obviously does then lead you into the question of: 'Well, how are you going to recognise the cyclist? Do you need registration plates and insurance? And that sort of thing.'

"So I'm proposing there should be a review of insurance and how you actually track cyclists who do break the laws."

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/bikes-registration-plates-crackdown-cycling/


As a Londoner, about time! Cyclists believe they are lawless, not anymore! Cyclists need to be held accountable, currently :

Cyclists can break the speed limit, no punishment (many roads are now 20 MPH in London)

Cyclists can break red lights.

Cyclists can drink and ride.

Cyclists can pass a zebra crossing while pedestrians are crossing!

Cyclists can ride without insurance or test (for public roads).

I am so over the moon with this news, cyclists are dangerous because they think they own the roads, about time cyclists take responsibility.

If I was on the fence about who to vote for, these new proposals would have me vote for the Tories! Without doubt one of the best proposals to come out of Westminster!

 

[sweep_shot]

Good laws.

We have some annoying cyclists here in Toronto too. I find them too entitled.

 

[James]

Anyone who has abruptly found themselves stuck in an online discussion with a middle aged male cyclist (as I unfortunately have a few times) will welcome any new legislation to manage their often extraordinary levels of superiority and entitlement.

 

[Robert]

Anyone who has abruptly found themselves stuck in an online discussion with a middle aged male cyclist (as I unfortunately have a few times) will welcome any new legislation to manage their often extraordinary levels of superiority and entitlement.

I’m a middle aged male cyclist.

I never jump red lights, and have insurance. It’s only £40 a year. It is not compulsory, but should be.

It would be impossible for me to exceed the speed limit as my name is not Geraint Thomas, unless on a long slope in a 30 mph area and if I did I could get tugged by the coppers as per Highway Code.

Cycling made me a safer driver. It opened up my peripheral awareness and vision generally. I would recommend that all drivers get a bike.

Cyclists get cross with some motorists because they simply do not see us. Their brains are trained to look for something two metres wide, not something 60cm wide. So one car in twenty will make a “close pass” which can be extremely scary, and scared people get angry.

I get that some cyclists flout the Highway Code, but so do plenty of drivers.

 

[James]

I’m a middle aged male cyclist.

I never jump red lights, and have insurance. It’s only £40 a year. It is not compulsory, but should be.

It would be impossible for me to exceed the speed limit as my name is not Geraint Thomas, unless on a long slope in a 30 mph area and if I did I could get tugged by the coppers as per Highway Code.

Cycling made me a safer driver. It opened up my peripheral awareness and vision generally. I would recommend that all drivers get a bike.

Cyclists get cross with some motorists because they simply do not see us. Their brains are trained to look for something two metres wide, not something 60cm wide. So one car in twenty will make a “close pass” which can be extremely scary, and scared people get angry.

I get that some cyclists flout the Highway Code, but so do plenty of drivers.

I knew you’d like this thread Robbo

 

[Robert]

I knew you’d like this thread Robbo

I consider myself a diplomat working for peace between the Tribes of the Road

 

[ElRaja]

cyclists should be forced to register, simples. they take the P cos they know they can get away with it.

I consider myself a diplomat working for peace between the Tribes of the Road ��

its like the middle east, they can co-exist, but not without one encroaching on each others land.

 

[Robert]

cyclists should be forced to register, simples. they take the P cos they know they can get away with it.

In UK.....

Traffic light offences £1,000 fine
Dangerous cycling £2,500 fine
Careless cycling £1,000 fine
Cycling on pavement £500 fine

 

[Technics 1210]

The fines in the UK are utterly pointless because the fines are only enforceable if and when a copper stops the cyclist.

With cycling registration plates, a speed/traffic camera will automatically pickup up the plate and send a whopping fine on their doorstop.

 

[ElRaja]

In UK.....

Traffic light offences £1,000 fine
Dangerous cycling £2,500 fine
Careless cycling £1,000 fine
Cycling on pavement £500 fine

nothing is enforced, ever, i have two mates who are cyclists, and have never paid a penny in fines. i said to them that all cyclists should be registered, taxed and insured like other vehicles on the road, they both said no one would ever ride in the city if that was the case.

i didn't even know cycling on the pavement was a crime ive seen it happen so many times.

 

[Robert]

nothing is enforced, ever, i have two mates who are cyclists, and have never paid a penny in fines. i said to them that all cyclists should be registered, taxed and insured like other vehicles on the road, they both said no one would ever ride in the city if that was the case.

i didn't even know cycling on the pavement was a crime ive seen it happen so many times.

Really ? I would. Used to commute to work down Cheyne Walk and into South London, and always obeyed the Code.

You have to think defensively - if I were to clip a pedestrian and hurt them - plenty step out in front of you without looking - I would be liable for damages, so I am insured.

Unsure where you could mount a visible number plate on a push bike. On the bars? On the seat stays? You'd probably block the lights that you have to mount under law, and it would increase drag. An option might be to wear a tabard with your reg number on it.

 

[ElRaja]

Really ? I would. Used to commute to work down Cheyne Walk and into South London, and always obeyed the Code.

You have to think defensively - if I were to clip a pedestrian and hurt them - plenty step out in front of you without looking - I would be liable for damages, so I am insured.

Unsure where you could mount a visible number plate on a push bike. On the bars? On the seat stays? You'd probably block the lights that you have to mount under law, and it would increase drag. An option might be to wear a tabard with your reg number on it.

i have no doubt u would, u seem like a responsible mature gentlemen, however a lot of cyclists are young men, who im guessing are not as considerate as yourself.

also the problem i have with bikes is not as a pedestrian, its as a driver, when they do something where if i didn't react in time i might clip them, something that would be a minor accident as a car v car, but could seriously injure a cyclist.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The issues with conflict on the roads between drivers and cyclists isn't really a fault on either side. It's that the roads weren't built or designed for both. We have gone from a situation where there used to be plenty of space to drive on both sides of the road 20 years ago, to suddenly finding the same roads cramped because we are now seeing them narrowed down to carve out cycle lanes and bus lanes where often there just isn't the space to do it.

I understand the thinking behind it, we want to get motor vehicles off the road to reduce congestion and pollution, but it will be a long while before people have bought in. We are just too used to using our cars to do shopping, no one wants to lug a trolley onto a bus these days.

 

[Robert]

i have no doubt u would, u seem like a responsible mature gentlemen, however a lot of cyclists are young men, who im guessing are not as considerate as yourself.

also the problem i have with bikes is not as a pedestrian, its as a driver, when they do something where if i didn't react in time i might clip them, something that would be a minor accident as a car v car, but could seriously injure a cyclist.

The thing to remember is that a cyclist at pace will have his heart thumping hard and his blood will be up, making him aggressive. This especially happens in a pack of cyclists. They get a smooth open stretch where they can hold 20 mph and they want to put some power down.

Also he will see small potholes on the road that you do not. Your car would not feel such a pothole but a 25mm tyre will dig in throwing him over his bars, so he might make rapid course corrections.

Just be patient, and when you overtake give them space.

 

[sweep_shot]

i have no doubt u would, u seem like a responsible mature gentlemen, however a lot of cyclists are young men, who im guessing are not as considerate as yourself.

also the problem i have with bikes is not as a pedestrian, its as a driver, when they do something where if i didn't react in time i might clip them, something that would be a minor accident as a car v car, but could seriously injure a cyclist.

This.

It actually happened to me once. I once opened the car door and the door hit a cyclist. The cyclist fell to the ground.

We didn't make a big deal out of it and things ended well.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Good laws.

We have some annoying cyclists here in Toronto too. I find them too entitled.

They are the same here.

Cyclists dont pay road tax but ride as if its their private road.

I was ensure I keep a distance but I dont wait behind them, just drive past them at whatever speed is required.

 

[Robert]

Road tax was repealed in 1935.

Drivers pay VED, which is a license to pollute. That is why VED is higher for bigger engines. Electric car drivers do not pollute so do not pay VED.

Roads are funded through income tax.

 

[ElRaja]

Also he will see small potholes on the road that you do not. Your car would not feel such a pothole but a 25mm tyre will dig in throwing him over his bars, so he might make rapid course corrections.

Just be patient, and when you overtake give them space.

i know, my friends who cycle mention this, like i never even considered manhole covers, but if ur on a cycle in the wet its a hazard, fair enough, i agree, but if im driving and i see a hazard i dont change direction faster than the traffic in general can handle, i slow down.

most cyclists want to keep their pace up and will bob and weave through traffic, and the delivery drivers (cycles and motorcycles) are some of the worst.

 

[Technics 1210]

Electric vehicles can pay tax depending on hybrid output.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-exempt-from-vehicle-tax

Plus this tax argument is nonsense, if cities are creating cycle lanes, then tax these lawbreaker freeloader cyclists for the blue lane. Emissions is a dead argument.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Everyone refers to it as 'Road Tax'.

With the DVLA changes recently giving higher priority to cyclists and pedestrians over motorists, they should contribute to the roads. Everyone pays Council tax including motorists, so they are not contributing as they should.

Im physically fit but I would never ride to work, I prefer my car for this. I only ride a bike for fitness, there are tracks or public places for this.

I would go further and suggest only certain roads which have enough space should allow bike riders, the rest ban them from roads.

 

[Robert]

i know, my friends who cycle mention this, like i never even considered manhole covers, but if ur on a cycle in the wet its a hazard, fair enough, i agree, but if im driving and i see a hazard i dont change direction faster than the traffic in general can handle, i slow down.

most cyclists want to keep their pace up and will bob and weave through traffic, and the delivery drivers (cycles and motorcycles) are some of the worst.

Or horse dung. Skidded on that once and came off right in the path of a car which emergency stopped a metre from me. Pretty scary. Didn’t get poo on my kit though

The delivery riders don’t get paid much so try to get as many jobs in as possible per shift. So they take risks. It’s all wrong.

 

[ElRaja]

Didn’t get poo on my kit though ��

got to celebrate them small wins, lol.

 

[Robert]

got to celebrate them small wins, lol.

Another time I was coming through Twickenham when I clipped the kerb at 20 mph. Crashed. Bleeding knee, scraped elbows, shaken up.

Sat on a wall getting my breath back. Three blokes walked up. Asked me if I knew the way to the RFU. Gave them directions. One chap passed me his hit flask to calm my nerves. Had a tot of rum. Continued home with the front wheel out of whack with the bars.

 

[ElRaja]

Another time I was coming through Twickenham when I clipped the kerb at 20 mph. Crashed. Bleeding knee, scraped elbows, shaken up.

Sat on a wall getting my breath back. Three blokes walked up. Asked me if I knew the way to the RFU. Gave them directions. One chap passed me his hit flask to calm my nerves. Had a tot of rum. Continued home with the front wheel out of whack with the bars.

your really selling me on this cycling malarchy. sounds like a right sound way to get about, lol.

 

[Robert]

your really selling me on this cycling malarchy. sounds like a right sound way to get about, lol.

)

You have to get the crashes out of the way, then it gets better. I’m an old geezer these days so I have an electric bike. Helps with the hills round my way. I try to stick to the country lanes and stay off the busy roads.