A little girl lucky to be alive.....

[oldtom]

As some of you will have no doubt read or seen, a cyclist in Blackpool was found guilty of riding dangerously on a pavement, as a result of which a little girl was quite seriously injured.

Although it could be argued that the incident wasn't entirely the fault of the cyclist as the child's parents should have protected her better as they left the house for the car, there can be no doubt that the cyclist was riding far too quickly on a pavement adjacent to people's homes where children or pets are always likely to leap out into the path of joggers, cyclists and finally, vehicles.

Once again, cyclists are seen as the baddies thanks to one moron who has no respect for laws, rules, or his fellow man. In my book, anyone riding a bike as this moron did should be jailed in addition to any financial penalties. Perhaps then, the message will start to have the desired effect. It behoves all of us who ride bikes to obey all laws applicable and that would go a long way to improving the declining public image of cycling and cyclists in our towns and villages.

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/crime/danger-cyclist-guilty-of-hitting-girl-3-on-path-1-7387745

Tom

 

[4bound]

Tom, I don't disagree with what you say - but - I note that this made it onto the national news, whereas few if any of the 30 cases of children killed on pavements by cars ever do.
Some car drivers are quick to complain about cyclists on pavements, crossing red lights etc, but think that exceeding the speed limit, parking on pavements, parking on yellow lines etc is fine.
You may think that this cyclist should be jailed, but what about the motorist who hits a child while exceeding the speed limit?
Personally I rarely cycle on pavements other than those designated joint use - but I understand why others do.