Britain’s roads are busy, and our skies are polluted – it’s an overwhelming argument in favour of greener, leaner transport. The government in recent years has done a fair bit to try and inspire this, with cycling lanes and toll roads. But the issue remains that motorists and cyclists have never quite seen eye to eye…
Let’s face it; motorists are wound up by slow cyclists, often leaving them impatient and careless. In the absence of taking the right amount of due care and attention, an accident with a cyclist is a common occurrence. But cyclists can help themselves – and many cyclists do. There is legislation in place to improve the safety of cyclists on our roads. It’s good to see public figures as advocates of such safety; but it’s bizarre to see it go hypocritically wrong:
According to sources from the Daily Mail (source), Channel 4 news presenter and cycling safety advocate John Snow has shown a rather hypocritical approach to the very thing he is so passionate about. Now, I personally am quite a fan of John Snow’s ‘to the point‘ interviewing techniques in the news, and I do enjoy the debates he has with guests – so it’s a little sad to see such a thing. According to the report, which contains several photographs of Mr Snow’s actions, he committed at least 12 separate cycling offences, which carry potentially significant fines.
The report shows that it was not just a one off occurrence; as the vocal campaigner for cycle safety “flouts the rules with astonishing regularity”. He was watched on his three mile journey from the Channel 4 News office in London committing several risky offenses. The report details them as follows:
- Cycling along a pavement (on more than one occasion), carrying an on-the-spot fine of £30; which can possibly rise to £500.
- Jumping a red light (also more than once), and then cycling down a single file lane of oncoming traffic
- He seemed oblivious to his surroundings – with the busy streets filled with taxis and Lorries.
- Failing to stop at a box junction as an ambulance with sirens blaring approached from the left
- Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing, leaving a man stepping out on the crossing to shout after him in protest.
And finally, and just as serious, using a mobile phone whilst cycling – at one stage apparently sending a text whilst riding with one hand.
It’s an extensive list – and the images captured on the Mail’s website show quite clearly the offences in action. This story is set to be quite a surprise to the Cyclists’ Tourists Club, which he was made president of in 2007, where he announced “In particular, I want to play a part in making cycling safer”, according to the report. He also just recently criticised motorists on Radio 4’s The World This Weekend.
It’s a concerning story to hear of – and it just goes to show that cyclists really can help themselves to improve the safety and reduce the risk of accidents involving motorists. I’m not for one second criticising cyclists in general, as the majority I find take safety seriously, and it’s the motorists that are generally at fault.
Motorists have a clear duty to take extra care on the roads, and actively look out for cyclists and ensure not to knock anyone off their bike! Let’s hope this story is an isolated incident – but it shows a significant degree of hypocrisy for such an advocate of cycle safety. Unless of course someone is out to get a little revenge on Mr Snow for one of his many heated and cutting debates on Channel 4’s news programme. He certainly leaves no stone unturned; I can think of a certain Conservative MP whom found himself on the defensive through Mr Snow’s approach to presenting and debate – not that I’m suggesting a conspiracy of course!
For advice on what you can do if you have been involved in a road accident, speak to an expert independent personal injury lawyer for specialist advice on claiming for compensation.
