Cycling News (2)

Teapot55

A few months ago from a first floor window I witnessed a young woman pedestrian stepping into the road without looking and into the path of an oncoming cyclist travelling at least fifteen mph. At a distance of only two or three metres, there was no chance for the young man to stop and she was felled violently to the floor. I believe she was taken away in an ambulance, although I was no longer by the window at this point. As I left the building I noticed that the police were still present. I offered as a witness, thinking that it would help the cyclist for the court to know that he could not have avoided hitting the pedestrian.

The cyclist was prosecuted for contravening a red light and fined £125 with £255 costs. (It was a normal junction, not one with pedestrian lights).

daytona0

Good to hear that the cyclist got prosecuted for contravening a red light! Put a pedestrian's life in danger by doing so.

Norman_Castle

I offered as a witness, thinking that it would help the cyclist for the court to know that he could not have avoided hitting the pedestrian.

The cyclist was prosecuted for contravening a red light and fined £125 with £255 costs. (It was a normal junction, not one with pedestrian lights).

As he was prosecuted for jumping a red light its unlikely your statement would be relevant. (was one taken?) If the charge had involved injuring the pedestrian it may have been relevant.

MacMickster

It would be interesting to know what would happen to a motorist who went through a red light and seriously injured a pedestrian.

I would hope that the motorist would be jailed, or at least banned from the roads for some years. The pedestrian could also expect a hefty payout from the motorists insurance. Whilst she didn't appear to look I'm sure that she would say that she could see that the lights were in favour of traffic from the other direction at the junction and there was none so it should have been safe to cross.

The cyclist should face a similar punishment, and if uninsured, have to pay a similarly large compensation payment from his own pocket.

Norman_Castle

MacMickster wrote: »

It would be interesting to know what would happen to a motorist who went through a red light and seriously injured a pedestrian.

The cyclist should face a similar punishment, and if uninsured, have to pay a similarly large compensation payment from his own pocket.

The penalties are the same. Presumably uninsured cyclists and motorists should be personally liable for compensation claims.

http://www.cyclelaw.co.uk/cycling-offences-jumping-red-lights

" in December 2013 when a cyclist was jailed for twelve months after jumping a red light, knocking down a nine year old girl and leaving the scene. The cyclist collided with the girl at, what eyewitnesses estimated to be, 30mph after he failed to stop at the red light and she stepped out onto the pedestrian crossing. The judge told the cyclist that he was the only one to blame for the “incredibly selfish criminal act” after the cyclist admitted to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm. "

Tilt

Norman_Castle wrote: »

" in December 2013 when a cyclist was jailed for twelve months after jumping a red light, knocking down a nine year old girl and leaving the scene. The cyclist collided with the girl at, what eyewitnesses estimated to be, 30mph after he failed to stop at the red light and she stepped out onto the pedestrian crossing. The judge told the cyclist that he was the only one to blame for the “incredibly selfish criminal act” after the cyclist admitted to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm. "

Was this the one in Brighton? Apparently had it been a car, she would of no doubt of been killed.

Norman_Castle

Tilt wrote: »

Was this the one in Brighton? Apparently had it been a car, she would of no doubt of been killed.

No idea. Its from the cycle law page linked to.

brat

Tilt wrote: »

Was this the one in Brighton?

Bournemouth/Poole area.

Tilt wrote: »

Apparently had it been a car, she would no doubt have been killed.

...which would have put him in jail for significantly longer.

robotrobo

Teapot55 wrote: »

A few months ago from a first floor window I witnessed a young woman pedestrian stepping into the road without looking and into the path of an oncoming cyclist travelling at least fifteen mph. At a distance of only two or three metres, there was no chance for the young man to stop and she was felled violently to the floor. I believe she was taken away in an ambulance, although I was no longer by the window at this point. As I left the building I noticed that the police were still present. I offered as a witness, thinking that it would help the cyclist for the court to know that he could not have avoided hitting the pedestrian.

The cyclist was prosecuted for contravening a red light and fined £125 with £255 costs. (It was a normal junction, not one with pedestrian lights).

That poor cyclist , i hope he was ok & didnt damage his bike !, mind you carbon fibre frames are very strong & resilient to inpacts like this.

AndyBSG

Teapot55 wrote: »

The cyclist was prosecuted for contravening a red light and fined £125 with £255 costs. (It was a normal junction, not one with pedestrian lights).

Uhhmm, did any of those who replied condemning the cyclist actually read the bit in bold on the OP's post or am I missing something?

Johno100

AndyBSG wrote: »

Uhhmm, did any of those who replied condemning the cyclist actually read the bit in bold on the OP's post or am I missing something?

Well I read it as a set of traffic lights but without an incorporated designated pedestrian crossing, quite common.