New cycling Bill 'will not improve road safety'

A new Bill which received its first reading in parliament last month will not be enough to reduce the number of cycle accident claims, according to an expert.

Robert Gifford, executive director at the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said that the Dangerous and Reckless Cycling (Offences) Bill 2010-11 is a "very large sledgehammer to deal with a very small nut".

"I'm not saying it is not a problem; the problem is their behaviour and we need to explain to them why what they are doing is not a good idea, rather than immediately resort to a legal punishment," he added.

Mr Gifford went on to say that there are only one or two deaths each year caused by a cyclist hitting a pedestrian, which is why the new law is only being brought in now.

If caught cycling on the pavement, police can issue a £30 Fixed Penalty Notice, while the maximum fine from the courts is £500.

Published by Rob Stanworth