A Danger To And A Danger From - Cyclist Laws To Be Updated

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16 August 2018 | Updated 17 August 2018

As the Queen's homeopath dies in a cycling accident, there are new plans to update road safety laws to protect cyclists and pedestrians - and a consultation to look at whether a new offence equivalent to causing death by careless or dangerous driving should be introduced for dangerous cyclists.

The Department for Transport plans to bring road safety legislation up-to-date to protect vulnerable road users with the proposals including clamping down on dangerous cyclists. The plans also include setting national guidance for the cycling and walking infrastructure.

The consultation is open for 12 weeks from August 12.

Measures were launched earlier this summer of a UK-wide initiative to help police crackdown on dangerous drivers who pass cyclists too closely. The DfT is looking at updating parts of the Highway Code to outlaw the dangerous practice of ‘close passing’.

Cycling and Walking Minister Jesse Norman said: "In recent weeks we have announced a range of measures designed to protect vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. These include new measures to combat close passing, training for driving instructors, better collision investigation and £100 million in new investment through the Safer Roads Fund.

"Now we are taking further steps. These include a consultation on new cycling offences, further work on national guidance on cycling and walking infrastructure, and improvements to the Highway Code.

"All these measures are designed to support the continued growth of cycling and walking, with all the benefits they bring to our communities, economy, environment and society."

Killed by cyclists

In 2016, three pedestrians were killed and 108 seriously injured after being involved in collisions with pedal cyclists. Matt Briggs, whose wife Kim was killed by a cyclist in 2016, said: "I would urge people to contribute to the consultation and of course to support the proposed changes to the law which I have campaigned for."

Cycling proficiency

As part of the Cycling and Walking Safety Review, the government has commissioned the Cycle Proofing Working Group to develop national guidance and best practice for cycling and walking infrastructure, so that all road users can benefit from the best facilities. Finally, the government has also announced that £1 million will be provided to support the pathfinder demonstration projects for repairing and upgrading sections of the National Cycle Network.

Separately, the Department for Transport has also announced that it is gathering evidence on the effectiveness of current laws on pavement parking to address safety issues concerning cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users.

To contribute to the consultation as to whether the offence of causing death or serious injury when driving - Click Here

To contribute to the consultation on cycling and walking infrastructure - Click Here

Picture: Drivers will have to be more careful around cyclists and cyclists will have to be more careful around pedestrians.

Detectives continue to appeal for information after a cyclist died in a road traffic collision in High Holborn - who has been identified as Dr Peter Fisher, the Queen's homeopathic physician.

Police and the London Ambulance Service were called at approximately 9:30am on Wednesday, August 15 to reports of a collision between a lorry and a cyclist on High Holborn in central London. Dr Fisher was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the lorry stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries. He was not arrested.

Officers from the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are investigating and are keen to speak to any members of the public who were in the immediate vicinity of High Holborn, near to Newton Street and Southampton Place, who witnessed the collision or the events leading up to it.

Since April there have been five convictions of motorists who killed cyclists as a result of dangerous driving.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis | Published 16 August 2018

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