Safe Speed Forums

Well, I suppose the answer is that, if the objective is to ensure that victims are properly compensated while the cost to the public purse is minimised, that people engaged in any kind of potentially risky activity should be required to carry third party insurance. I wonder if the offender was covered under his household policy, as some in the cycling lobby often claim "most" cyclists are.

The objective of punishing the offender is arguably better served by some kind of arduous community service.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

By contrast somebody like this http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20071009/t ... 618_1.html probabally does need to be incarcerated for life/executed/exiled. Not because of any deterrent effect or even as a punnishment. But simply because he will only do it again if he is allowed to remain free

(People who do things like this wont be deterred. At the time of the incident he was undoubtedly technically insane, though I dont think a defence along those lines would attract much sympathy!)

Mind I STILL resent the fact that *I* (and my fellow taxpayers) am going to have to stump up half a million quid to keep him banged up! Cant help thinking that there are FAR better things we could be spending our money on!

(I think Mr Pierpoint got paid £20 per drop, to compensate him from having to take a day off from his regular job!)

_________________
"The road to a police state is paved with public safety legislation"

His namesake may have been a good actor, but this chap is a crap QC. He needs to swat-up on what constitutes being legal - it's not just having the right paperwork mate!

_________________
It's tricky doing nothing - you never know when you're finished

It is a bit late for the sorrowful act as he has killed an innocent pedestrian!

No doubt if he had been driving a car on the pavement they would have thrown the book at him and rightly so.

Where are the speed opposers at "Brake" on this one surprisingly silent!!!!!!!!!

Obviously as it was not a car they are not trumpeting about cars speeding etc. causing death and destruction but it proves that cycles are or can be just as lethal as cars when used / ridden dangerously.

It is quite obvious to all concerned that the summons / pending prosecution DOES NOT FIT THE CRIME

_________________
"There But For The Grace of God Go I"

"He Who Ain,t Made Mistakes Ain,t Made Anything"

Spannernut

Most cyclists instinctively know that riding on the pavement, going through red lights and down one-way streets the wrong way are not dangerous practices and are actually safer for them most of the time. Just as motorists know that breaking the law by speeding isn't always dangerous.

Accidents such as the one described here are rare in fact they are virtually unheard of! Many more pedestrians are killed by motor vehicles mounting the pavement each year than by cyclists using the pavement as safe refuse from dangerous and intimidating traffic.

_________________
GROOVE ARM

I agree that riding on the pavement is not inherently dangerous if done considerately. But obviously that is not the case here as the rider showed total disregard for those around him.

I don't accept that the actions listed are safer but the issue is really in the words emboldened by me. No thought about other people, as long as it's better for cyclists then it's OK.

_________________
Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.

The death was because someone was cycling dangerously, not because they were cycling illegally.

Legality is not important. If you do something listed in 'the law' the government can steal your money. How does that keep anyone safe?

_________________
Andrew.

malcolmw - do you mean no thought for other people in the same way as speeding motorists have no thought for anybody but themselves?

What I mean is that the only person to benefit from speeding is the offending motorist. Everyone else is put at higher risk should an accident
occur, not least cyclists and pedestirans.

_________________
GROOVE ARM