Cyclists: Road Traffic Laws

Baroness Wilcox Excerpts

Monday 18th April 2016 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Wilcox]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which general road traffic laws are enforced in respect of cyclists.

[The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Keen of Elie) (Con)]

My Lords, the enforcement of cycling offences is an operational matter for chief officers of police. The Government support any action taken by the police to deter and reduce the number of cycling offences.

[Baroness Wilcox (Con)]

I thank my noble and learned friend for that crisp and helpful Answer. Does he agree that, at the very least, signs should be added for visitors who take bicycles in London and elsewhere warning them that it is illegal in Great Britain nationally to cycle on pavements and that they will be fined if they do so?

[Lord Keen of Elie]

The Santander cycle scheme in London is the responsibility of Transport for London and its terms and conditions specify that users must abide by the Highway Code. More particularly, its website, under the section “Driving & cycling safety”, states in unequivocal terms: “Don’t pavement cycle”.