Safety row rages over cycling on Britain’s streets

Motorists should be automatically blamed if they’re involved in an accident with a cyclist.

This is according to Lib Dem plans which will be unveiled at the party’s autumn conference in Glasgow. So far this year, nine cyclists have died on Scottish roads the equivalent for the whole of 2012.

The Appeal Court in Edinburgh will decide on Tuesday if a sentence handed to Gary McCourt, 49, was “unduly lenient”. After causing the death of cyclist Audrey Fyfe, 75, by careless driving, he got a five-year ban and 300 hours of community service.

McCourt was jailed in 1986 for causing the death of another cyclist. With the popularity of cycling rocketing, The Sunday Post asks what can be done to prevent further tragedies?

“Act now before another mother has to suffer.”

Cycling to work at 8am, Craig Newton was killed when he was hit by a council bin lorry outside an Edinburgh primary school.

The 32-year-old painter and decorator died at the scene in the capital’s Broughton area, just as the rush hour bustle was beginning to crowd the nearby streets.

The lorry driver, Steven Ainslie, 40, wasn’t prosecuted after the accident in April 2011.

But Craig’s heartbroken family have now launched a civil action against Edinburgh City Council.

And his devastated mother Lynda Myles insists more should be done to ensure no other families have to suffer the same pain as hers.

She told The Sunday Post: “Craig died two years ago and we’ve been emotionally exhausted trying to make sense of what happened.

“I’ve channeled my energies into trying to make sure that nobody else has to go through what we have. I’m a driver and I also use the bus on a regular basis.

“My heart is in my mouth seeing what is happening on our roads, and I can see it from both sides.

“I certainly wouldn’t have been as aware of the situation if it hadn’t been for Craig’s accident.

“I think we have to teach drivers to have respect for cyclists like they do on the continent.

“I’ve come across people here who hate cyclists, who think they shouldn’t be on the road.

“But they are not going to go away. It’s not just leisure cyclists, there are people who simply can’t afford to run a car.

“Unless something is done there will be more tragedies.

“We should all get together do what we can to make the roads safer for everyone.”

Death threats to biking campaigner

Online trolls have launched a sickening tirade on a leading scientist simply because of his love for cycling.

Dad-of-three Dr Dave Brennan, who works on life-saving research, claims he has been continually hounded by the online bullies, who include HGV drivers.

He says they launched their hate campaign after he set up an online blog to promote safer roads for cyclists.

“Some say they can’t wait to drive me off the road,” said the clinical physicist. Another said he wanted a bus to mow me down, into the kerb.

“It is very worrying to think there are people out there who want to kill you by running you over with a heavy lorry.”

Dr Brennan tracked down those who threatened him online. “I went to the police,” he explained, “but they say they are powerless to act and these might be just empty threats.

“I think following the recent online issues they would take any complaints more seriously now.”

Dr Brennan, an organiser for the Pedal On Parliament cycling campaign, films his journeys with a small camera attached to his cycling helmet.

His blog, The Mind Of A Helmet Camera Cyclist, has more than 11,000 visitors every month.

Last night the threats were blasted by anti-online bullying campaigner, Scott Freeman who founded the Cybersmile Foundation after his teenage daughter was taunted by cyber-stalkers who wanted her to kill herself.

He stormed: “It is atrocious that people who lobby for a good cause can be threatened with violence online.

“These bullies need to be prosecuted. If something is illegal and unacceptable on the street then it is online. A threat of violence is a still a threat.”

Do we need new laws?

YES Brenda Mitchell, Road Share“We want to bring about a change to Scottish Civil Law,” says solicitor Brenda Mitchell of the Road Share campaign, which echoes the Lib Dem proposals on cycling safety.

“We want to introduce a system of strict liability so cyclists and other vulnerable road users involved in road traffic accidents are compensated fairly and quickly

“The simple fact is that if a motorised vehicle hits a cyclist or pedestrian it is always the human being who will come off worst.

“If you are in control of an object of danger to another’s life, then it is reasonable you are deemed to be at fault in any collision unless it can be established otherwise.

“It’s the control of the object of danger that gives rise to the liability.

“Motorists would be liable in any collision with a cyclist or pedestrian and cyclists would be liable in any collision with a pedestrian.

“Of course, it would still be open to those deemed responsible to prove the injured cyclist or pedestrian was to blame.

“In Europe strict liability regimes have existed for decades and are an integral part of road safety policy.

“It improves road users attitudes to one another.

“And it acts as a constant reminder to those in control of an object of danger to take great care when operating it.”

NO Hugh Bladon, Alliance of British Drivers“The proposals turn the whole justice system on its head,” insists Hugh Bladon of motoring campaign group, the Alliance of British Drivers.

“To say that you’re guilty if you haven’t done anything is nonsense.

“If a motorist hits a cyclist because the cyclist has run a red light, how can the motorist be to blame?

“It’s complete and utter nonsense.

“We all have a duty of care to one another, no matter what sort of a vehicle you are in.

“Pedestrians using the pavement have been killed by cyclists.

“Cyclists get a good deal. They don’t have to pay insurance, they can and do disobey just about every traffic law and don’t get punished for it.

“Meanwhile cameras capture motorists’ every transgression and fines are sent out through the post in record numbers.

“For me the issue is not being dealt with correctly.

“Cyclists are very vulnerable it is the most dangerous mode of transport.

“You’re completely at the mercy of what you do and those around you.

“If you come into contact with a lump of metal you are going to come off worse.

“I fully understand why they have concerns. But those should not be allowed to dictate that cyclists are right and drivers are wrong.”