Cyclists: is it time for tougher laws?

It’s early morning and, in central London, “the sun rises sleepily” over Regent’s Park’s lake and lawns, said Esther Addley in The Guardian. But on the road that encircles the park, the atmosphere is anything but lazy.

With cars banned until 7am, scores of cyclists are pedalling furiously around the Outer Circle. Many are en route to work, others are members of cycle clubs doing timed laps in groups.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week’s Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

But still, a minority do think the rules of the road don’t apply to them, said The Times, and the current two-year jail term for cyclists who kill, under an act dating from 1861, is insufficient as a punishment or deterrent. Cycling is a clean, efficient mode of transport, especially in cities. Its recent boom in popularity should be encouraged; the best way of doing that is to make sure it is safe, for everyone.

To continue reading this article…

Create a free account

Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.

Already have an account? Sign in

Subscribe to The Week

Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.

Cancel or pause at any time.

Already a subscriber to The Week?

Unlimited website access is included with Digital and Print + Digital subscriptions.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.

READ SOURCE