by Philip James
Cyclists all over Britain are getting bent out of shape over this UK government law.
A new law titled “Death By Dangerous Cycling” has been drafted by the British Government causing outrage from cycling groups who believed that they were above the law.
The new law, announced by Mark Harper comes after an 81 year old lady died from massive head injuries suffered after she was hit by a cyclist racing at approximately 29mph and who later walked free from court.
The 'militant' cyclist who had knocked down and killed the 81-year-old woman in Regent's Park , showed no remorse for his actions and even taunted her relatives by attempting to blame her for the death. has walked free from court with not so much as a fine because the rules of the road don't apply to cyclists.
Brian Fitzgerald, described as a 'militant cycilst', was doing up to 29mph, in a 20mph zone, when he hit Mrs Hilda Griffiths, 81, who was quietly walking her dog in Regent's park one Saturday morning when the incident occurred. The smug banker appeared to taunt Mrs Griffiths family in court saying that "rules of the road don't apply to cyclists." He also claimed that it was Mrs Griffiths own fault that she died as she 'didn't look'. These two points became his defence, and, astonishingly, he walked free from court.
The needless death caused outrage among the public with hundreds calling for tougher laws for cyclists. Nick Freeman, known as Mr Loophole, also called for tougher rules on cyclists after the innocent woman's needless death.
On Wednesday last week, MPs past the new law that effectively prosecute a cyclist for causing a death in much the same way as a motorist would. However, much to the dismay of the public, cyclists have been up in arms at the decision. Social media has been set alight by thousands of 'militant' cyclists who had believed that they were a 'protected group.' Whilst many of the lycra clad cyclists want a myriad of new laws for drivers on top of the over 300 they already have, the idea that any law should apply to them has been met with outrage.
So obsessed with hatred for the car, that a single law that isn't directed at it is met with nothing but distain.
“Mr Loophole”, whose clients have included Jeremy Clarkson and David Beckham, has previously called for cyclists to display compulsory identification similar to a vehicle’s number plate and to have licences and mandatory insurance cover.
Speaking about the Regent’s Park death, where police said “no criminal act” had been committed, Mr Freeman said: “Not only should cyclists, like drivers, face lengthy sentences if convicted, if they hold a driving licence, they should face mandatory disqualification too.”
He added: “This reckless abandonment by cyclists of any consequence must be stopped.”
The new law has not just enraged the militant cyclist it has also upset those that thought they were above the law. The most aggressive on social media are the middle-aged born-again cyclist who had been led to believe that their virtue-signalling alone was enough to receive special treatment.
Official figures show that the number of pedestrians hit by cyclists has increased by a third since 2020. Police recorded 462 collisions in 2022, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory grandee, has tabled parliamentary amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill debated on Wednesday.
The changes are supported by other prominent backbenchers, including Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, Sir Robert Buckland, the former justice secretary, and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The amendments would create new crimes making it an offence to kill or injure another person while riding a bicycle, e-bike or electric scooter.
‘They cycle with impunity’
Urging the Government to support the amendments, Mr Freeman added: “We need the same legislation that exists for other motor vehicles. “We just need to be sensible, we need to impose speed limits for cyclists, and we need to make them accountable in the same way that we make motorists accountable,” he told The Telegraph.
“They are largely unaccountable. They cycle with impunity. They constantly break the limited law that applies. “So the law needs to be made loud and clear: ‘If you are a cyclist and you kill or seriously injure someone you could end up in prison for a long time’. “Hopefully such legislation would put an end to needless and tragic deaths and make the roads safer for all users.”
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