§ MR. J. F. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been called to the recent remarks of London coroners with respect to the reckless riding of cyclists, and especially lady cyclists, in the crowded thoroughfares; whether he can state the number of authenticated fatal and of serious accidents to cyclists that have occurred in the streets of London during the first quarter of the present year; and, whether, for the protection of the cyclists themselves as well as to minimise as much as possible a growing public danger, he will consider the advisability either of limiting cyclists to the less crowded thorough fares, or subjecting them to more stringent regulations in the main arteries of traffic?
§ *MR. J. W. LOGAN (Leicester, Harborough)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that a large number of clerks, artisans, and others now used cycles to enable them to get home, and by the aid of which they were enabled to house their families in healthy neighbourhoods, away from the slums and crowded areas of large towns; and whether cyclists had not an equal right to the use of the streets with the more fortunate owners of carriages and pairs and of men who run coaches as a hobby? [Laughter.]
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI have obtained a Return which has been prepared by the police after careful inquiry, showing the number of fatal and serious accidents which have occurred to cyclists in the police district during the first quarter of the year. The number of fatal accidents was three; of serious accidents, such as fracture of limb, concussion, internal injuries, 12; in two cases only were the persons injured women. There have been, besides, numerous cases of slight accidents in which persons have either gone to their homes or, if taken to the hospital, have not been detained there. Considering the great number of those who ride in the streets, I cannot say that these figures are high or call for any exceptional measures. 1017 At the same time, there can be no doubt there is a great deal of reckless riding; during the first quarter of the year 318 persons were summoned by the police for this and similar offences. I have no power, however, to limit cyclists to certain thoroughfares or to subject them to regulations not applicable to traffic generally; but the police do everything in their power to minimise risk. I think that possibly is an answer to the hon. Member who has put the supplementary Question. In only one case, so far as T have been able to ascertain, has a coroner recently made any remark on the subject of these accidents in the London streets.