Motorists and taxi drivers applaud ‘far overdue’ bike crackdown proposal

Motorists and taxi drivers have applauded a ‘long overdue’ move to crack down on’reckless’ cyclists, claiming it will improve road safety.

In a road legislation overhaul, the government will examine whether bikers should be required to obtain license plates, insurance, and adhere to 20 mph speed restrictions. Officials are also exploring the possibility of obligatory insurance, so that pedestrians who are severely hurt by careless motorcyclists might receive compensation.

Grant Shapps (pictured) has called for stricter rules on cyclists, saying: 'I see no reason why cyclists should break the road laws and be able to get away with it'Grant Shapps hit out at ‘a selfish minority’ of aggressive riders and says the overhaul is needed to ‘impress on cyclists the real harm they can cause when speed is combined with lack of care’Steve McNamara (pictured) , general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, has welcomed the plansThis graphic showing changes to the Highway Code, which came into effect in the UK in January

The initiative was applauded by a cab drivers’ association, which stated that the measures are “long time” and demanded that bikers be held “responsible” for their activities.

 

People have also taken to social media to praise the measures, which are part of a broader crackdown on a minority of violent cyclists that would also see the development of a new death by risky cycling offense.

 

One individual stated, “About time, they get away with everything, never pay for the harm they create astride off, and there is no way to identify them.”

 

Another person remarked that it was “far overdue… Particularly number plates so that bikers may be held accountable for their behavior.”

 

Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, stated that bikers must abide by the same traffic laws as the rest of us.

 

“These initiatives are long overdue,” he stated. For years, the taxi industry has demanded that equivalent protections be implemented for bikers.

 

“For far too long, motorists have been demonized and made the only target of ever-increasing regulations and enforcement, despite the fact that evidence clearly demonstrates that more severe accidents are caused by reckless cyclists and unsafe cycling.”

 

“If you observe any downtown London intersection for just a few minutes, you will witness bikers running red lights or traveling at excessively high speeds, without consideration for other road users or pedestrians, and with total impunity.

 

Recent revisions to the Highway Code, which give bikers greater precedence, have worsened these issues.

 

If ministers are serious about enhancing road safety while continuing to encourage “active travel,” it is imperative that cyclists observe the same road laws as the rest of us and are held accountable for their actions when they fail to do so.

 

Similar sentiments were expressed on social media, with many stating that it was necessary to avoid unsafe cycling.

 

“About time,” tweeted @RayMariead, “they get away with everything, never pay for damage they cause astride off, and there’s no way to identify them.”

 

@Guess who002 said, ‘I concur with Nick that cyclists are a law unto themselves because they operate without accountability. Make them accountable as all other drivers are taught to be, and things may change.

 

@davidthegolfer said, “License plates and insurance, as well as a friendly disposition.” There are plenty skilled cyclists, but an excessive number are tarnishing their reputation. Oh, and prohibit cycling and driving with earbuds.’

 

@GPastabake joked, ‘It’s uncommon for news items to make me smile these days… But this one has already brightened my entire day… and it’s only six in the morning. Wholesomeness.’

 

“Number plates in particular, so that bikers can be held accountable for their conduct,” tweeted @MrJonnyO.

 

Nick Freeman, a lawyer who has advocated for stronger laws for bicycles, has also praised the measures, stating that it will help hold riders accountable for reckless riding. Previously, he stated on the Jeremy Vine Show, “I appreciate Grant Shapps’ actions, but I think he needs to go a lot farther, and in my opinion, we just need complete parity with all traffic users on the roads.”

 

“Unfortunately, bikers are required to carry a form of identification.

 

“The top aim must be to make roads safer, and I agree wholeheartedly; it would be lovely if everyone cycled, but not at the expense of the health and safety of others.”

 

The infrastructure must be in place for them to pedal, but the roadways must be safe for everyone.

 

Steve McNamara (pictured), general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, applauds the proposed changes.

Steve McNamara (pictured), general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, applauds the proposed changes.

 

He emphasized that individuals must be held accountable for their acts.

 

“In my opinion, if individuals are held accountable, they will be responsible, and they won’t run red lights or cycle on the sidewalk,” he said.

 

‘Unfortunately, serious injuries to pedestrians are on the increasing dramatically.

 

‘Of course, automobiles cause much more injuries, and I acknowledge that, but we want everyone to be safe, so I wouldn’t stop for bikes; instead, I would prohibit pedestrians from crossing the street while listening to music or using their phones.

 

“We must all bear responsibility for our actions; we cannot just declare that those who cause the most harm are responsible.”

 

Therefore, we must be collaborative and inclusive, and everyone must assume some level of responsibility.

 

The avid biker and host of the show, Jeremy Vine, shared a mock-up image of a bicycle with a number plate containing spikes, along with the statement “Yes, I’m ready.” Pedestrians struck by automobiles can file substantial claims, which are compensated by the driver’s insurer. However, this is not possible for victims of dangerous bikers, and poor cyclists cannot be sued.

 

The ideas would be part of a broader crackdown on a minority of aggressive cyclists, which would also include the introduction of a new crime of death by unsafe cycling, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced in the Daily Mail last month.

 

Currently, due to a ‘archaic’ legal loophole, bicycles convicted of murder face a maximum of two years in prison, whereas motorists face life in prison.

 

Stewart McGinn was sentenced to just over a year in prison earlier this year for killing Jane Stone, 79, when he collided with her while riding on the sidewalk.

 

And in 2016, Kim Briggs was killed in east London after Charlie Alliston’s illegally ridden bicycle struck her as she attempted to cross the street. Alliston, whose motorcycle lacked front brakes, was later exonerated of manslaughter and convicted of “wanton or furious driving” – the same charge as McGinn – and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

 

In the midst of escalating friction resulting from revisions to the Highway Code, a review of traffic legislation would increase parity.

 

In other places, cyclists are even encouraged to ride in the middle of the road, as a result of the reforms that the government announced in January.

 

Drivers were given additional responsibility to watch out for pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders, while cyclists were given additional responsibility to watch out for pedestrians.

 

Other significant revisions include clearer instructions for cars to leave a minimum gap of 1.5 meters when passing bikes and directives for automobiles entering onto a road to yield to pedestrians waiting to cross.

 

Charities and motoring organisations stated that insufficient efforts were made to inform the public of the changes before they were enacted, which could lead to increased anger and dissatisfaction on the roads.

 

Neil Greig, head of policy and research at the road safety organisation IAM RoadSmart, told the Times, “Many motorists will assume that a cyclist in the centre of the lane in front of them is attempting to purposefully slow them down.”

 

This results in confrontation, road rage, and improper passing. Everyone must be aware of these changes simultaneously for it to operate.’

 

The Alliance of British Drivers, meanwhile, criticized the modifications as possibly hazardous.

 

A spokesperson stated, ‘The proposed hierarchy of road users is likely to engender or intensify anger and animosity between different classes of road users, and may lead to irresponsible behavior on the part of bicycles and pedestrians.

 

All road users owe a duty to all other road users and must treat one another with courtesy and tolerance.

 

Mr. Shapps stated this week in an interview with the Mail that bicycles must observe the rules of the road.

 

He stated, “There are places where bicycles are not breaking the law when they speed, and that cannot be right. Therefore, I suggest extending speed limit limits to cyclists.”

 

“I don’t want to discourage people from riding their bikes; it’s a terrific kind of transportation, and we’ve seen a huge increase in cycling during and after Covid. But I see no reason why bikers should be allowed to disobey traffic laws and get away with it.