"I can't help it if a cyclist falls over"

[Gravity Aided]

Certainly instructive as to why I should not read the Daily Mail. Poor journalism, trying to make it sound like the rider was thrown by the loss of control of her bicycle, while we bring in past bell ringing to the doctors' defense. And the comment about it being a second hand bicycle is also rather low. I see poor cyclists with bad habits every day as a bus driver, and people exercise care, thereby avoiding killing them. And if they did kill someone, the newspapers would not spend the greater part of an article making excuses for them. But I'm in the US, and we have our own journalistic problems.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

The extreme hardship angle is I think a symptom of our** society, which places too much value on owning a car. They're considered to be absolutely essential, and so by extension, not having one is considered to be a great hardship. In other words, too many people refuse to consider the possibility of using a combination of public transport and/or cycling, and leaving private motor vehicles as a last resort.

** i.e. Australia's, and various other countries.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Why mention that the poor girl was on a £300 second hand bike? It's as if they're trying to say the thing wasn't road worthy! No doubt the bitch will be let off lightly as "she's an important member of the community". Unlike us mere cycling peasants!

 

[glenn forger]

Cleared:

http://road.cc/content/news/95681-p...-killed-cyclist-while-driving-wrong-side-road

 

[Gravity Aided]

Very sad. Young life, cut short by irresponsibility.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Cleared:

http://road.cc/content/news/95681-p...-killed-cyclist-while-driving-wrong-side-road

"The jury deliberated for three hours before returning a ‘not guilty’ verdict."

How many of those jurors have ever been on a bike,and how many are of the "they don't pay road tax,so they aren't worthy" mentality?!

 

[hopless500]

That is the most appalling verdict. I hope there is an appeal.

 

[Archie_tect]

No censure whatsoever? Not even a reprimand or a caution or a suspended sentence? ...where's the proportionate punishment at least for dangerous driving....

 

[fossyant]

Un effing believable

 

[glasgowcyclist]

No censure whatsoever? Not even a reprimand or a caution or a suspended sentence? ...where's the proportionate punishment at least for dangerous driving....

She's been found not guilty so there can be no punishment.


GC

 

[numbnuts]

Nothing is going to bring the cyclist back to life
so make sure it doesn't happen again
she should be banned from driving for life.

 

[Archie_tect]

I appreciate the jury verdict was not guilty at the trial... but I would have expected the Police and CPS would have had other options for the lack of care and other driving errors, at the very least...

 

[fossyant]

I appreciate the jury verdict was not guilty at the trial... but I would have expected the Police and CPS would have had other options for the lack of care and other driving errors, at the very least...

So would I, but it's perfectly acceptable to drive on the wrong side of the road into folk obviously. Don't think the driver would be saying that if the cyclist was replaced with a big nasty HGV ?

 

[Bryony]

What a terrible result this has made me feel very sad. Whether the girl did fall off her bike in her line of travel (probably in blind panic at the sight of a car heading towards her at a speed between 40 and 50mph) she should NOT have been over taking on a bend!!! She says she didn't see them or expect to see them well sorry if you overtake on a bend you should expect to see something coming towards you!!

 

[BSRU]

Sadly it seems the best way to kill someone(and get off scot free) is kill them with your car then blame the cyclist for being in the wrong place.