YOU report (“Cyclists facing safety clamp down after mother killed crossing street”, The Herald, September 25) that as a result of the very unfortunate death of a pedestrian by a cyclist riding an illegal fixed-wheel bicycle, there would be heightened levels of enforcement of cyclists in Scotland who infringe traffic laws and cycle construction requirements. There is nothing in the statement that I can complain about. What I do complain about is what the statement didn't say.
Many vehicle drivers not only break motoring laws, but when they do, the consequences disproportionately result in the deaths or serious injury of other road users, in particular unprotected pedestrians and cyclists. As the article itself pointed, out vehicles cause hugely more casualties per year than cycles, in 2015 there being approximately 100 cyclist and 400 pedestrian fatalities.
I agree that that cyclists should obey the law, but society far more urgently needs vehicle drivers who do the bulk of the harm to also do so. So to the police I say "condemn all bad and illegal road usage or condemn none". It is unfair and stigmatising to pick out one specific sub-set of road users, particularly the sub-set of road users who actually do the least harm to others.
Bob Downie,
66 Mansewood Road,
MAY I, a 62-year-old touring cyclist since the age of 10, appeal to law makers to take a measured and calm approach to calls for stronger laws for cyclists?
Your article today cites the very low incidence of pedestrian casualties caused by cyclists.
My experience in touring on a bicycle is of folk looking up the road but not seeing me on my bike. This experience is very common and comes despite me sporting a dayglow green top.
As I cycled, a week after the trial of Charlie Alliston, a lady in Troon crossed Portland Street from the far footpath. She was speaking to her friend on opposite footpath and not looking along the road. I was the only vehicle on the street. She, no doubt, relied on her hearing to gauge the danger.
Had she stepped from between parked cars on my nearside, our collision would have been unavoidable, notwithstanding my slow pace and my front and rear brakes.
This is one of many demonstrations of the hazard of imperfect human beings coexisting on our streets.
I hope that those looking at the law will take a measured approach.
Robert Rocke,
3 Cameron Drive,
Newton Mearns.
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