There have been a number of media reports on the problems caused by dangerous cycling. That includes several pedestrians killed in collisions with cyclists who were typically exceeding 20 or 30 mph speed limits. A recent example was the death of Hilda Griffiths after being hit by a cyclist in Regents Park where groups of cyclists race around the outer circle. That has a 20-mph speed limit but speed limits do not apply to cyclists as cycles are not “vehicles”. See this Telegraph article for more examples: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/19/justice-dangerous-cyclists-matt-briggs-legal-amendment/

Some years ago (in 2016) I pointed out the danger of cyclists using the Strava App to monitor their cycling activity. In practice they are using it to compare their pace to others and are effectively racing against the clock over known stretches of road. They wish to record the fastest time. After I wrote an article on the subject I received abuse from cyclists claiming it was untrue and asking me to remove the article. I refused.

Since then the situation has got a lot worse.

The current law does not easily enable the cyclists to be prosecuted. This may change after the passing of an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill last week meaning cyclists who ride dangerously and kill or maim will face tougher new laws and longer prison sentences. However it will be difficult to stop the current criminality of cyclists exceeding reasonable speed limits, riding on pavements and through red lights until they have registration plates.

Roger Lawson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London

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