Cyclists: Safety Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Cyclists: Safety

Lord Campbell-Savours Excerpts
Wednesday 3rd July 2013

(11 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl Attlee Portrait Earl Attlee
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My Lords, my noble friend has asked me quite a lot of detailed questions and I think it would be better if I wrote to him. I agree that HGVs are a disproportionate problem. HGVs do not have any more accidents with cycles than do cars. However, when they do have an accident, the result is generally much more serious. It is quite right that we pay special attention to HGVs.

Lord Campbell-Savours Portrait Lord Campbell-Savours
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My Lords, the use of mobile phones by motorists is illegal, because it is unsafe. Surely the use of audio headgear by cyclists is equally unsafe and should be made illegal?

Earl Attlee Portrait Earl Attlee
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My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord that it is extremely unwise to cover one’s ears when riding a cycle, because you cannot hear traffic approaching or someone sounding their horn. I am not sure that it is necessary to make it illegal.