SOME CYCLISTS THINK THEY’RE EXEMPT FROM THE RULES OF THE ROAD

FURTHER to recent comments in your postbag about cycling I would make a number of points.

We as a Civic Society have sought to liaise with Greater Manchester Police and other agencies concerning the issue of cycling going forwards.

We are very keen to continue the debate around this topic as there are matters to be dealt with that in our view are urgent to the successful development of cycling strategies:

Cyclists cannot be exempt from the rules of the road and yet they frequently act as if they are by riding through red lights, riding on pavements, across pedestrian crossings and generally being (seemingly) oblivious to the highway code.

This must be more rigorously policed.

In order for road discipline to emerge there must be emergent consequences for action in law.

A few obvious suggestions could be a compulsory bell for safety, compulsory helmet for safety,a low-cost registration of every bike, and a low-cost insurance in the event of collision.

Bikes could be confiscated/ crushed/plus fines for dangerous pavement riding, and every cyclist must attend a mandatory cycle proficiency course.

Government could advertise good practice on TV and through other media.

Local government would have to stop usurping (often) narrow pavements and turning them into dangerous ‘shared with care’ cycle/ pedestrian routes – the ‘caring’ bit will not ensue until cycling is regulated and properly policed.

Councils thinking they are being ‘green’ by allowing unregulated cyclists to put people in danger is a very serious issue.

I feel sure that pressure from large unitary authorities upon Government could have desirable effects.

SG Speakman, Chairman, Manchester Civic Society