- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
London cyclist approaching junction.jpgObey! Transport minister tells cyclists to follow Highway Code… well, he asks leaders of cycling organisations to tell them for him
Transport Minister Jesse Norman has asked cycling organisations to remind their members to follow the Highway Code, less than 48 hours after announcing a review on whether dangerous and careless cycling offences should be introduced.
Norman has written to British Cycling, Cycling UK, the Bicycle Association, Sustrans, and Chris Boardman and Will Norman, Cycling and Walking Commissioners for Greater Manchester, and London, respectively, asking for their help highlighting the rules relating to cycling, including use of equipment, clothing and the use of lanes and crossings to their networks.
Norman’s letter, which directly references the recent case in which Kim Briggs died following a collision with cyclist Charlie Alliston, has prompted ire from cycling groups, who question whether Norman has written to motoring groups on the issue, given the relatively greater risk posed by motor vehicles.
Government announces cycle safety review in wake of Alliston case
“I am writing to you following the tragic death of Mrs Kim Briggs to ask for your help in highlighting the importance of cyclists adhering to the rules set out in the Highway Code.” Writes Norman, who is MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire.
“The Highway Code clearly sets out rules for cyclists including on equipment clothing and use of lanes and crossings. It states that every pedal cycle must have efficient brakes and meet the applicable legal requirements”.
Norman also refers to the more detailed information set out in the Pedal Cycles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1983, which states bicycles must have independent working front and rear brakes.
The cycling review was launched in response “to a series of high profile incidents involving cyclists”, including the case in which cyclist Charlie Alliston was this week sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders’ institution for the death of pedestrian Kim Briggs when the pair collided in London’s Old Street in February 2016.
Roger Geffen, Cycling UK Policy Director, told road.cc: "We're responding robustly behind the scenes to the DfT."
Cycling UK would not be drawn further on the matter.
Cycling organisations, such as British Cycling and Cycling UK, already promote safe cycling among their members, and critics would question whether the response to the Alliston case from the Department for Transport has been fair and proportionate. According to the Department for Transport’s own statistics, 1732 people were killed on UK roads in 2015, and 22,137 seriously injured. Cyclists, by contrast, account for around two deaths per year, on average.
Some have asked whether the RAC, AA and driving instructors have been contacted on the issue, given the respective risk motor vehicles pose on the roads.
Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign tweeted the letter today, commenting: “Unprecedented ministerial action after 2 cycle related deaths. Awaiting 750 times this much effort to address the 1500+ motor-related deaths.”
In 2014 Chris Grayling, the then Justice Secretary, who is now Transport Secretary, promised a review into sentencing policy in relation to convictions for the offences of causing death by dangerous driving. Despite more than 22 requests from Cycling UK and Parliamentarians since then the review, nor any legislation, have not been forthcoming.
The Highway Code, where it relates to cyclists, covers legal obligations such as the use of lights at night and reflectors fitted to the bike. It also advises cyclists to wear a cycle helmet and wear light coloured, reflective or fluorescent clothing, though this is not the law. There is also a section on road users requiring extra care, which Norman says “aims to educate and remind drivers of the needs of more vulnerable road users, such as cyclists”.
Laura Laker is a freelance journalist with more than a decade’s experience covering cycling, walking and wheeling (and other means of transport). Beginning her career with road.cc, Laura has also written for national and specialist titles of all stripes. One part of the popular Streets Ahead podcast, she sometimes appears as a talking head on TV and radio, and in real life at conferences and festivals. She is also the author of Potholes and Pavements: a Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network.
Latest Comments
- ktache 5 min 2 sec ago
The batteries were not the easiest to find, and the brackets broke easily. The switch was far better than the D cell quick release ever readys that...
- ktache 31 min 16 sec ago
There are people out there who will make you the belt out of your old tyre.
- chrisonabike 32 min 23 sec ago
Furry dice and an air freshener for your helmet.
- AidanR 45 min 12 sec ago
Looking at the pictures in the linked article, the bikes aren't actually inconsiderately parked. The only issue is that they're on private property...
- Simon E 1 hour 20 min ago
Ah yes, those are hopefully not the 'master craftsmen' that has constructed a wide range of shoddy Italian cars and motorbikes over the years with...
- Simon E 1 hour 42 min ago
A SuperSix is definitely not an all-rounder....
- JLasTSR 1 hour 49 min ago
Since most of.my clothes come.from.charity shops.or the eBay nearly for.nothing clothing section I don't tend.to.worry if they wear out, I am also...
- chrisonabike 2 hours 34 min ago
Just get them to walk a treadmill - or better, ride exercise bikes to power path lighting.
- AidanR 3 hours 10 min ago
So his advisers were trying to move funds around to cover losses, but in a way that needlessly created additional liabilities? It would have been...
Add new comment
71 comments
'Coz it's easier to see people in hi-viz.
I don't want to imagine what legislation changes will have to be made should tragic accident from fifth store Acme piano fall should happen
For context in terms of road user groups, threats to safety and priority ... I live close to a 30mph limit that passes an open playground, it has one of those flashing speed lights as you enter the 30 zone and pass the opening to the play area. I ride past this flashing sign on most rides, a few times a week.
My estimate is that 60-75% of drivers are flashed going above/well above the limit and though some are slowing and have brake lights on at that point, many do not and just sail through. I might go and do a count one day and write to ask Mr Norman what he thinks of the result and whether it's only this area that has this majority speeding issue*.
I suspect his response (and general policy, removing speed cameras for ex) would be based on the number of voters who drive and the PR impact rather than anything to do with safety, just as this letter to cycling groups is.
*realistically, why bother : )
And I've taken the piss out of my friends in Australia about how their government treat them and how they really don't want people on bikes, now we have this BS.
We are going to be fucked over big time!
Ultimately, as others have written, this wouldn't be so offensive nor so much of a story if the department had written to all the (non statutory, membership) organisations representing "civilian" motorists and the ones representing professional drivers and the ones representing pedestrians.
But they didn't.
Instead, they chose to demonstrate that they believe in collective responsibility, but only in application to cyclists.
That they believe that the actions of a lorry driver or a car driver or a woman crossing the road without looking are their own business and nothing to do with anyone else using those modes of transport, and yet the actions of Mr Alliston (who I imagine few if any of the readers of road.cc have ever met) fall equally (rhetorically speaking) on the shoulders of everyone else in the country who chooses to ride a bicycle.
I'm mad as hell, and have no idea what to do about it! (my MP is Liam Fox, so writing to him would be a waste of time)
The letter does state that we have some of the safest roads in Europe. Which also says "I've never used a road outside of a car".
I can look out of my window now, count to ten and see three drivers on their phones or no seat belts. I can do that every ten seconds for the rest of the day. That's without even going outside, riding my bike, driving my car.
Clean up your own back yard before you even dare to open your mouth.
Interesting that certain elements of the press picked up and ran with this at a time when the Brexit thing was turning into a big pile of steaming merde. Distraction tactic on the part of the authors and their faithful readership? Of course not, just a coincidence. Let's face it the hyenas have been waiting for just such a messed up individual as the young Allison boy to come along and feed their prejudices.
It looks as if Jesse Norman is going to be busy writing another letter this weekend.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41361351
If they bring about a new dangerous cycling law first, without dealing with the cyclist being injured and or killed by motorists they are being Nothing other than discriminatory towards the masses that cycle, be it commuting or leisure cycling.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/apr/28/headteachers-jesse-norman-eton-government
She has a history of talking bollox too.
Presumably there'll be a national campaign along any moment now reminding people to use the Green Cross Code....
?
He certainly does. He single handedly proves his argument in the article is bollocks.
This is the country we live in - one part of the government publishes this: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/6-million-adults-do-not-do-a-monthly-...
"The sedentary nature of modern, busy lives makes it difficult for many to find the time for enough exercise to benefit their health."
...while another part of government drafts what is essentially an open letter to all cyclists because one dickhead riding an illegal bike killed someone in a freak incident.
I'm beginning to wonder if Guy Fawkes should be feted as a hero rather than burned on a bonfire every year.
Guy Fawkes - the only person to enter parliament with honest intentions
.
We have had numerous pedestrians, using the public transport networks, and drivers going about commiting terrorism acts killing and hurting innocent people including children.
So pedestrians and drivers should be stopped and searched as potential suspects and assessed what danger they pose to the public.
No reports of cyclists involved in any such acts but are at risk from dangerous boyracer drivers, furiously revving their engines, swerving, speeding, blocking up roads and spewing out their poisionous fumes and disgusting black smoke causing cancer and harming children in particular.
Despite cyclists facing all these dangers and further dangers from pedestrians knocking off cyclists from their saddles, they still persue witch-hunt against cyclists just to satisfy now even more poweful anti-cylist lobbyists of mainly lazy fat drivers.
.
.
In current times, I am so relieved that I live in part of the UK where transport policy is devolved to a different parliament then the one this idiot sits in.
I don't have a great deal of faith in the Scottish parliament on cycling issues, but it isn't as incompetent as this Westminster halfwit.
Whatever they say, you/me, that is people on bikes are not wanted on UK roads by this goverment. They are puppets for car makers, financiers, oil firms and transport businesses who also have much of the press in their pockets.
.
I shall be writing to my MP and the Transport Ministry, if anyone wants a copy to sign and send in themselves, let me know and I'll share it somewhere.
I have, for all the good it will do. I know he is a cyclist ( as in he actually rides a bike, unlike many "I am a cyclist as well" ists). He will no doubt try, but the vermin, their mercenaries and eejits such as Alexander have enough of a majority to push through any amount of vicious shit.
Please do.
And I'm sure the Allistons of this world are members of BC.
Particularly insensitive for them to write to Chris Boardman. Leaving aside the fact that he's just one man and in no way represents all cyclists, particularly those who flout the highway code, the poor guy lost his mum to the driver of a pick-up truck and has publicly lamented the fact that no charges were brought.
Jesse Norman and Chris Grayling are odious twats.
Rules about clothes? The non-mandatory 'should' rules? God help us.
Second thoughts, I already wear a helmet and yellow gilet during the day - for my safety, and am lit up like a Xmas tree at night.
But the issue that triggered all this was someone without brakes - so some focus on the things that really matter please
* A front brake - his bike did have a rear brake. Please don't make the same mistake that just about every news outlet and driver is making.
The quick guide to the HC he references is also factually incorrect:
https://twitter.com/THINKgovuk/status/901109909768609792
Says brakes (plural) are required. Nope, just one in most cases
Says a front reflector is required. Nope, just a rear reflector
Interestingly, no mention of pedal reflectors
It was just a copy paste from the highway code, annex 1. I think the plural part was just general, it is set out properly elsewhere. But yeah, more confusion....
Pages