Campaign group gains momentum towards changing law after top cyclists backed the cause
A group campaigning to change the law in Scotland to make road users liable for the death and injury of cyclists is gaining momentum after top sporting cyclists backed its cause.
Craig MacLean, a Commonwealth double gold medallist and Olympic gold winner Chris Boardman have backed Edinburgh charity Road Share’s mission to introduce presumed liability in Scotland to give cyclists greater protection on the roads.
I don’t think that motorists, generally speaking, see the person on the bike
Craig MacLean
The change in law would mean the onus would be on motorists to prove they weren't at fault which is currently the case in most European countries.
Thirteen cyclists died on Scotland’s roads in 2013 while eight have died so far this year.
MacLean, who was awarded an MBE in the 2013 new year honours list for services to cycling, said drastic measures had to be taken.
He said the popularity of cycling – fuelled by sporting successes by the likes of himself and Chris Hoy – meant more and more were taking up cycling, meaning far more on the roads.
“Something has to be done,” said MacLean. “There are more and more cyclists on the roads, and we are vulnerable out there. I don’t think that motorists, generally speaking, see the person on the bike — they see an obstruction.
“We are up against it and a change in the law to encourage motorists to respect cyclists is a move in the right direction.”
The journalist Lesley Riddoch and the environmentalist Cameron McNeish are also behind the move, while an online petition has secured the support of more than 6,400 people.
Brenda Mitchell, founder of the campaign, said: “How many more people have to suffer before something’s done to protect cyclists?
“The recent terrifying trend in cycle collisions proves something must be done to improve safety for all road users, and quickly.
“We cannot and must not sit by and let this continue without fundamentally changing the mindset of all road users to respect the need to share the road space.”
