Conservative leader David Cameron has apologised after being photographed breaking red lights and cycling the wrong way up a one-way street.
Conservative leader David Cameron has apologised after being photographed breaking red lights and cycling the wrong way up a one-way street.
Pictures in the Daily Mirror newspaper showed the politician breaching traffic rules as he cycled to work.
Pictures in the Daily Mirror newspaper showed the politician breaching traffic rules as he cycled to work.
"I know it is important to obey traffic laws - but I have obviously made mistakes on this occasion and I am sorry," Mr Cameron said in a statement.
"I know it is important to obey traffic laws - but I have obviously made mistakes on this occasion and I am sorry," Mr Cameron said in a statement.
But cycling groups defended him, blaming poor regulation and signage.
But cycling groups defended him, blaming poor regulation and signage.
Cyclist rules
Cyclist rules
The Mirror followed Mr Cameron on three Wednesdays as he cycled to the Houses of Parliament from his Notting Hill home.
The Mirror followed Mr Cameron on three Wednesdays as he cycled to the Houses of Parliament from his Notting Hill home.
The newspaper featured Mr Cameron cycling the wrong way up a one-way street in Dawson Place, breaking a red light in Great George Street, driving the wrong way around a bollard in the Mall and breaching a red light at the Houses of Parliament.
The newspaper featured Mr Cameron cycling the wrong way up a one-way street in Dawson Place, breaking a red light in Great George Street, driving the wrong way around a bollard in the Mall and breaching a red light at the Houses of Parliament.
But the pictures merely highlighted the difficulties the average London cyclist faced, said cycling campaign group CTC.
But the pictures merely highlighted the difficulties the average London cyclist faced, said cycling campaign group CTC.
"It shows what an ass cycling regulation [and] traffic management is in this country at the moment... we campaign in CTC for things like opening up one-way streets, which are allowed all over Europe," said director Kevin Mayne.
"It shows what an ass cycling regulation [and] traffic management is in this country at the moment... we campaign in CTC for things like opening up one-way streets, which are allowed all over Europe," said director Kevin Mayne.
"[Mr Cameron] is a yard in front of the white line in front of the Houses of Parliament - frankly, that's where I'd go to get away from the cars, he was hardly jumping the light," he said.
"[Mr Cameron] is a yard in front of the white line in front of the Houses of Parliament - frankly, that's where I'd go to get away from the cars, he was hardly jumping the light," he said.
He added that the story had also highlighted how difficult signage was for cyclists in London.
He added that the story had also highlighted how difficult signage was for cyclists in London.
Hypocrisy?
Hypocrisy?
However, Kevin Clinton, head of road safety for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, criticised Mr Cameron.
However, Kevin Clinton, head of road safety for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, criticised Mr Cameron.
"It is essential that all road users, including cyclists, obey traffic laws. The laws are there for everybody's safety and, as always, it is disappointing when someone in the public eye sets a bad example," he said.
"It is essential that all road users, including cyclists, obey traffic laws. The laws are there for everybody's safety and, as always, it is disappointing when someone in the public eye sets a bad example," he said.
Road safety charity Brake stressed that all road users, including cyclists, needed to observe traffic rules.
Road safety charity Brake stressed that all road users, including cyclists, needed to observe traffic rules.
"People are dying on the roads every day and we can't afford to become complacent," a spokeswoman said.
"People are dying on the roads every day and we can't afford to become complacent," a spokeswoman said.
"As a role model, Mr Cameron must be aware that if he does break them [the rules], it is going to send out the wrong message to those he hopes to inspire."
"As a role model, Mr Cameron must be aware that if he does break them [the rules], it is going to send out the wrong message to those he hopes to inspire."
'Publicity stunt'
'Publicity stunt'
Steve Pound, Labour MP for Ealing North, said: "David Cameron aspires to make the laws of the land but can't uphold them.
Steve Pound, Labour MP for Ealing North, said: "David Cameron aspires to make the laws of the land but can't uphold them.
He added: "We all remember the last time he went the wrong way up a one-way street with a publicity stunt. At least this time his driver wasn't following with his shoes."
He added: "We all remember the last time he went the wrong way up a one-way street with a publicity stunt. At least this time his driver wasn't following with his shoes."
The Tory leader, who has been keen to establish his green credentials, cycles to work once a week - usually on Wednesday.
The Tory leader, who has been keen to establish his green credentials, cycles to work once a week - usually on Wednesday.
He found himself accused of hypocrisy in 2006 for cycling while being followed by a car carrying his briefcase.
He found himself accused of hypocrisy in 2006 for cycling while being followed by a car carrying his briefcase.
He has since said that this only happened "once or twice".
He has since said that this only happened "once or twice".
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