Firestorm
Veteran
- Location
- Southend on Sea
BBC article on the verdict says that Mrs Briggs family plan to campaign for tougher cycling laws to protect pedestrians....
Charlie Alliston case - fixie rider accused of causing pedestrian death
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glasgowcyclist
Charming but somewhat feckless
- Location
- Scotland
I was about to post the same point, with the question: What tougher cycling laws do you need? He was tried for manslaughter!
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
He didn't help himself, but had it been a vehicle then it would be no news.
As I've said before the driver that very nearly paralysed me didn't even get a telling off. No points nothing.
As I've said before the driver that very nearly paralysed me didn't even get a telling off. No points nothing.
Perhaps they just want cycling banned on public roads.
DaveReading
Don't suffer fools gladly (must try harder!)
- Location
- Reading, obvs
Which doesn't necessarily mean he will go to prison.
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
Also interesting points (and comparisons) from the Road Danger Reduction Forum.
I think the verdict overall was a fair one, and you could certainly argue for creating an offence linked to death or injury caused by not maintaining a road legal bike.
However the manslaughter charge was definitely a punt in the dark by the CPS and I'm not surprised the jury rejected it.
However the manslaughter charge was definitely a punt in the dark by the CPS and I'm not surprised the jury rejected it.
srw
It's a bit more complicated than that...
It's news precisely because it's extremely rare. That's what news is.
And in direct answer to your question, typing "road death" into the BBC website gives me...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-40862829
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-40487828
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-40351943
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39803713
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-39716649
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-39716289
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-38733704
...all from 2017. Each has a particular hook that has made it news rather than a statistic, whether the age of the victim or the circumstances of the death.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/cy...an-motorists-claims-transport-minister/018723 claimed it was 34 a year a few years ago. I could fire up the database of police collision reports but I still doubt it'll be 100.
They don't need to be hire bikes. Bikes temporarily ridden here don't need to comply with UK regulations according to http://www.cyclinguk.org/cyclists-library/regulations/international-traffic but only a UN convention which is fine with only a coaster brake (but doesn't regard fixed wheel as a brake). I suspect there's a few around at any given time.
My own Dutchie came with UK-specific front forks fitted because the ones used in the Netherlands don't support a front brake!
I hope someone like the RDRF approaches them. It would seem better to press the police to actually enforce the existing regulations a bit more (so maybe the likes of Alliston get a Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme ticket before they hurt someone).in no way comparable.
the case you cite involved a momentary lapse with tragic consequences.
The current case involved long term deliberate flouting of the Law.
the guy claimed he did not know it was illegal to not have a front brake yet told the bloke he bought it from he wanted it to ride on the track.
srw
It's a bit more complicated than that...
I haven't the faintest idea whether the verdict was fair or appropriate - I am neither a lawyer nor a member of the jury. I'm extremely glad the case was brought, because it highlights the extreme rarity of cyclists injuring, let alone killing, pedestrians, and reminds us all not to be nobbers.
Speaking of which - what a nobber the defendant was. First of all to post completely idiotic comments online, and then not to say "it's a fair cop - I'm pleading guilty". He showed himself to be a self-entitled selfish prat.
Speaking of which - what a nobber the defendant was. First of all to post completely idiotic comments online, and then not to say "it's a fair cop - I'm pleading guilty". He showed himself to be a self-entitled selfish prat.
a driver faces "causing death by dangerous/careless driving". there is no comparable "causing death by wanton and furious cycling" hence the resort to the manslaughter charge.
OP
OP
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
There are two more factors which made this case big news.
It happened in London, raising its importance to the mostly London-based media.
The victim, if not the defendant, is middle class, a HR consultant, which makes many media titles think 'she's one of us'.
Put another way, the case would have got a lot less coverage if it had happened in a back street in Bolton to a woman on the way to her cleaning job.
srw
It's a bit more complicated than that...
Or if the person in the dock had shown some remorse - he created his own headlines by failing to take responsibility.
I hope he gets the maximum possible sentence.
OP
OP
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
Agreed, I expect the case turned out better than expected for the hacks who gathered on the press bench at the start.
As regards the sentence, the judge's remark about him not showing any remorse so far could be taken as a hint she's not that keen to lock him up, and might not if some remorse is shown from now on.
That's a bit late in the day, but some lawyers are skilled at putting a positive shine on recent changes of heart by their client.
Alliston will be interviewed by a probation officer who will prepare a pre-sentence report.
He could do himself a lot of good by saying the right things in his interview.
A skill which he hasn't demonstrated up to now, but he might be able to pull something out of the bag as he staring down the barrel of a spell in prison.
