Should Cyclists get on their Bike?

With more and more scots choosing a healthier lifestyle cycling has become more popular than ever. Whether it be an enjoyable way to enjoy nice weather, a means of keeping fit or simply an alternative means of getting to and from work there is no doubt that cycling is the “in thing”.

However, with a significant increase in the number of cyclists on Scotland’s roads there has inevitably been an increase in conflict between them and Scotland’s motorists. On an almost daily basis we are contacted by drivers accused, often wrongly, of causing accidents involving cyclists and we now regularly see news reports, you tube videos and face book posts of aggressive and often outrageous driving behaviours being directed towards cyclists.

Well, it looks as though cyclists have had enough and are fighting back. A parliamentary report by a committee headed by Mp’s Ruth Cadbury and Alex Chalk includes 14 recommendations from the all party parliamentary cycling group (APPCG).

Included in the recommendations is a request to change the highway code to improve driving behaviours towards drivers and to change the current driving test to make drivers more cyclist friendly.

However, perhaps the most controversial recommendation is that drivers should have a “universal” duty to give way to cyclists when turning.

So, are these recommendations necessary to keep cyclists safe on our roads or are the roads becoming “too PC”? Cyclist will argue that their vulnerability on the roads necessitates these measures but the recommendations are likely to go down like a lead balloon with drivers who equally frustrated with the behaviour of cyclists.

If this universal duty is introduced can it still be acceptable for cyclists to filter up the inside of traffic sitting stationary at lights after these drivers have previously manoeuvred past the cyclist moments earlier only to have to give way to the cyclist when turning at a junction?

So should these measures be introduced or should cyclist get on their bike?

If you have been charged with a motoring offence involving a cyclist or even if you have been accused of cycling in a dangerous manner contact us now for a free consultation and expert representation. Call 0141 465 3333 Now!