HC Deb 16 July 1897 vol 51 cc304-5
SIR ELLIOTT LEES (Birkenhead)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in view of the numerous police prosecutions against cyclists, and want of any definite standard as to what may be considered by the courts a lawful and safe pace for a cycle on the public highway, the Home Office will lay down and announce some regulation defining the maximum speed which they consider compatible with the public safety in town, country, and suburban districts respectively?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

I have no power to make any such regulations, and it seems clear, too, that the question what is furious or dangerous riding must depend upon the circumstances of each particular case. I may add that I made inquiry last year of the chief officers of all the police forces in England and Wales as to the number of accidents caused by cyclists in their respective districts and the remedies they suggested if the protection given by the present law seemed to them insufficient; but their replies were such as to lead me to the conclusion that no alteration in the law was required.