The Government will be forced to state its position on the dangers posed by cyclists and e-scooters following a successful Parliamentary petition launched by Britain’s leading road traffic lawyer.
Nick Freeman has been lobbying the Government to introduce compulsory identification for cyclists and e-scooter riders . As well as wearing visible ID, his petition has also called for mandatory use of cycle lanes (where available) a licensing and penalty point system for cyclists and a licensing system for e-scooters
The solicitor, known as Mr Loophole for his success in defending A-list celebrity clients such as David Beckham and Jeremy Clarkson, has been a long time campaigner on the need for better regulation. And now that his petition has passed 10,000 signatures, the Government is obliged to respond.
Amongst the petition’s co-signatories are broadcasters Mike Graham and Cristo Foufas, music industry veteran Donald C MacLeod and road safety campaigner and cyclist, Dave Sherry.
Mr Freeman said: “We are all delighted with the results of the petition since something must be done to make road space safer for everyone. Without some kind of registration scheme we have no idea who might be riding an e-scooter or a bike. It gifts those who use them recklessly to flout the law with impunity – say, jumping red lights, weaving on and off pavements, and even knocking down pedestrians.”
He added: “This is not about a war between drivers and others but the need to have one law for all – to improve safety for all and create harmonious shared road space. While there are many responsible cyclists, there are still too many who ride with little respect for the rules of the road. And even though only those e-scooters hired through the Government rental scheme are legal to use on our roads, there are countless private ones which are being used illegally. That’s why, as someone who has been a road traffic lawyer for 40 years and been immersed in the law for all that time, I felt something had to be done.”
Last month ministers were urged to ban sales of electric scooters until it becomes legal to ride them on the roads. Simon Foster, Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, wrote to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps warning of more deaths and serious injuries without a crackdown. Three people have died and more than 700 have been injured following accidents involving e-scooters in a year.
Speaking at the launch of the petition, broadcast: Mike Graham said: “It is time to make the rules and the laws around cycling and e-scooters fit for purpose. They are clearly not now. In terms of cycling, we need to get it out of the 19th century and into the real world.”
Added Nick Freeman: “What we have at the moment are a large number of vulnerable road users – cyclists and e-scooter riders – riding dangerously and who are totally unaccountable. This petition wants to make roads safe for everyone But if we are to have a fair and safe system in which drivers, cyclists and e-scooter riders co-exist then there should be parity with motorists in terms of the law. Until legislation is introduced for cyclists (and e scooter riders), their anonymity will trump their accountability. Our petition shows thousands of people are clearly clamouring for this. Our wish is that Parliament will respond by agreeing debate the matter leading to changes in the law which will make the roads safer for all of us.”
You can sign Nick’s petition by clicking the link – http://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/585474
About Freeman & Co.
Freeman & Co. are a specialist firm of road traffic and criminal defence solicitors based in Manchester but with nationwide coverage.
Freeman & Co. specialise in a wide variety of road traffic cases, ranging from drink driving, speeding and mobile phone offences, to name but a few.
The firm was created by Nick Freeman, who has been dubbed “Mr Loophole” by the press for his technical legal ability and robustly challenging the prosecution.
Nick is well regarded as an expert road traffic lawyer and has successfully represented many high profile clients for a variety of motoring offences as well as criminal offences.
The firm of Freeman & Co. embodies the way Nick works, with minute attention to detail and challenging the prosecution at every turn.
If you are facing a road traffic matter or criminal offence and need the services of Freeman & Co. please call on 0161 236 7007.
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