Drivers who hit cyclists ‘should be presumed liable’ Motorists who hit cyclists will be deemed to be at fault unless it can be proved otherwise, under proposals from the Liberal Democrats. The same “presumption of liability” would also apply to cyclists who hit pedestrians, mimicking the system in many European countries where the blame is deemed to lie with the larger vehicle unless it can be conclusively shown that the more vulnerable road user was at fault. The plans are included in policy ideas announced by the Lib Dems before their conference next month. Under a section entitled Cycling Reform, the document calls for a crackdown on the “illegal use of cycle lanes” by motorists. It also says that cyclists should be forced to obey the rules of the road and proposes that local authorities be required to provide for cyclists “in the planning system as well as in the design of all highways”. The Government is due to make an announcement on cycling on Monday and is expected to say which cities and rural areas have won a share of £42 million from a cycle grant scheme. However, the scheme has been described as a series of “one-off gestures” rather than a means of providing long-term funding for cycling infrastructure. A group of MPs has joined with the AA, British Cycling, the sport’s governing body, and Chris Boardman, the former Olympic champion, to call on the Prime Minister to take “this unique opportunity” to cash in on the legacy of London 2012 and reform planning regulations to “cycle-proof” Britain’s roads. Sarah Wollaston, the Conservative MP for Totnes and a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, said: “We need a radical shift in priorities for long-term funding and road priorities in favour of cyclists and pedestrians, together with a sustained programme of cycle training. “For a fraction of the resources directed at HS2, [David Cameron] could leave a far greater legacy: a fitter, healthier nation and a genuine reduction in our dependence on fossil fuels.” Boardman, who won Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992, said: “David Cameron would be well advised to take a leaf out of Boris Johnson’s book. In London we now have a cycling action plan, increased resources and a cycling czar to get things done. This commitment to cycling needs rolling out across the country, with proper, consistent funding at levels we know make a difference — £10 a head.” Martin Gibbs, the policy director at British Cycling, has demanded faster and much stronger change from the Department for Transport, and Julian Huppert, the Lib Dem MP for Cambridge and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, called for year-on-year funding, rather than one-off gestures, for cycling. His co-chairman, Ian Austin, Labour MP for Dudley North, said: “The Olympic and Tour de France triumphs, the stunning success of RideLondon, the huge number of MPs from all parties supporting the Times campaign and our recent parliamentary inquiry for measures to boost cycling all show the huge public and political support to boost cycling in Britain, make the streets safer, cut congestion, improve the environment and make people healthier. The Prime Minister must not miss this unique opportunity.” More than 1,440 people have written to their MP via the Times website asking them to attend a Commons debate on September 2 on measures to boost cycling. Edmund King, president of the AA, said that most motorists were in favour of more cycle paths and explained: “If we are serious about a cycling revolution then we need the Prime Minister to lead from the front and the majority of AA members will be behind him.” • The death of a cyclist who fell from his bike in Torfaen in South Wales is being treated as murder. Gwent Police said that four suspects — men aged 18, 19 and 23 and a woman aged 19 — had been arrested. The cyclist, aged 63, was taken to hospital with head injuries on Wednesday. He died a few hours later. In London, the family of Clive Richards, a retired GP who died when he was struck by a lorry on Archway Road on Monday, warned that there would be more deaths unless there were better provision for cyclists. thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3838021.ece
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 19:34:52 +0000
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