Cycling (Hansard, 12 November 1998)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)
My Lords, the Government have considered the merits of licences for cyclists but we have no plans to introduce such a system. That approach would be likely to work against our policies to encourage an increase in cycle use. It would require a large administrative operation and the expenditure that would be needed could not easily be justified.

Viscount Long
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. Does he agree that in this day and age bicycles can travel at anything from 15 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour when one is going downhill? That poses a great risk of danger to pedestrians, especially the blind and the deaf who can neither see nor hear them coming along the pavement or crossing zebra crossings. Surely cyclists should be made to take out a proper insurance policy. A system of licensing is also required. Does the noble Lord agree that cyclists would then know, when they are riding along the pavements and so on, that they are not the only pebbles on the beach?

§ Lord Whitty
My Lords, I have no way of knowing what speed the noble Viscount attains going downhill. As I have had occasion to remind the House on two occasions in the past three weeks, the vast majority of accidents affecting pedestrians in this country are caused by motorised traffic and not by cyclists. Less than 1 per cent. of accidents are caused by cyclists. We have 20 million people owning cycles in this country, a large number of which are owned by children. It would be an incredible administrative effort to introduce a licensing system.
840 We encourage the taking out of insurance in those circumstances but, in a sense, that is not the point. In all insurance claims following a road accident, compensation is paid only if it can be shown that that person is negligent. That applies to cyclists the same as it does to anybody else.

§ Lord Clark of Kempston
My Lords, is the Minister aware that in January this year, I was knocked down outside your Lordships' House by a cyclist who jumped the lights, did not have a front light and as soon as the accident occurred, he got back on his bicycle and cycled off? If there had been some sort of registration, I might have been able to trace that cyclist. Will the Minister explain why the police go for motorists? Daily one reads about careless driving and so on on the part of motorists, but very seldom do we read anything about cyclists. They go along one-way streets the wrong way; they cross lights which are against them; and ride on pavements to the detriment of pedestrians. Is it not about time that the Government took some action in that regard?

§ Lord Whitty
My Lords, I am aware of the noble Lord's unfortunate experience. While, no doubt, it was traumatic for him, he is something of a statistical oddity. The vast majority of cyclists use their bicycles safely and the vast majority of accidents are caused by motorists. We do not read about cyclists being prosecuted because very few of them are involved in accidents. However, they are subject to the law and, in the particular case which the noble Lord described, I am sure that, had a policeman been on hand, he would have arrested and prosecuted that cyclist. It does not make any difference whether or not that cyclist had a licence in his back pocket. Unfortunately, there was not a policeman on hand and it was not possible to charge and prosecute the cyclist. However, cyclists, like everybody else, are subject to the law and must not ride on the pavement nor ride without a rear light.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, does the Minister agree that most of the accidents which have been referred to would be eliminated if there were proper cycle tracks? Will he assure the House that every effort will be made by the Government to persuade local authorities, or whoever else it is necessary to persuade, to press on with a network of cycle tracks as soon as possible?

§ Lord Whitty
My Lords, I agree with that. Indeed, it is part of the Government's transport policy to encourage the provision of cycle tracks where we can and cycling priorities elsewhere. In some towns that is more difficult than others, but it is a priority for those of us involved in local transport plans.

The Viscount of Falkland
My Lords, in a spirit of helpfulness, perhaps I may suggest a compromise which may help the noble Lord, Lord Clark. We should issue licences to cyclists who are riding at night. Then all cyclists who persist in riding without lights at night can lose their licences, and that may be of benefit to all of us.

§ Lord Whitty
My Lords, I note the noble Viscount's suggestion. Frankly, I believe that that would be even more difficult to enforce. However, I shall consider what he said.

§ Lord Dean of Beswick
My Lords, is my noble friend the Minister aware that, had the noble Lord, Lord Clark, 841 been badly injured by that cyclist, he would not have been entitled to any compensation even though he was engaged in the business of coming here? The House of Lords, unlike the House of Commons, refuses to insure its Members. Can my noble friend confirm that the position will be looked into as a matter of urgency, because someone may well have an accident here and will have to bear the full costs involved; or, indeed, their family may have to do so?

§ Lord Whitty
My Lords, I note with some sympathy my noble friend's point. However, it is a matter for the authorities of the House of Lords and not for me.

§ Lord Swinfen
My Lords, do the Government have any plans to carry out a survey of road worthiness as regards bicycles? If not, why not?

§ Lord Whitty
My Lords, it is already an offence to ride an unsafe cycle and the police have powers in that respect. The law is there but, of course, it is not easy to enforce.

§ Lady Kinloss
My Lords—

A noble Lord
My Lords—

§ The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)
My Lords, I think it is the turn of the Cross-Benches to ask a question.

§ Lady Kinloss
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness the Leader of the House. Does the Minister agree that it would be much safer for cyclists in rural areas if proper lighting was provided and if they wore something light on their clothing? Indeed, cyclists are extremely difficult to see where there are no street lights.

§ Lord Whitty
My Lords, I totally agree with the noble Lady. Lighting is a legal requirement and we strongly advise the wearing of more visible clothing than some cyclists wear.