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We want to make our roads safer for everyone – especially cyclists We want to make our roads safer for everyone – especially cyclists
(21 days later)
Response: an opinion piece by Laura Laker accused me of hypocrisy, but our review examining the law and cycling aims to make the roads safer for everyone
Jesse Norman Cycling minister
Thu 5 Oct 2017 14.24 BST
Last modified on Thu 5 Oct 2017 14.25 BST
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Laura Laker accuses me of “headline-grabbing hypocrisy” in relation to the safety of cyclists. That’s quite an extreme reaction to my announcement of a review whose specific purpose is to improve the safety of all road users, especially in relation to cyclists.Laura Laker accuses me of “headline-grabbing hypocrisy” in relation to the safety of cyclists. That’s quite an extreme reaction to my announcement of a review whose specific purpose is to improve the safety of all road users, especially in relation to cyclists.
As I made clear, the review will address two key issues. The first is legal: whether the law is defective in the case of bodily harm or death from a cyclist, and specifically whether, as the rule of law demands, there is an adequate remedy here. Our aim is to complete this work early in the new year.As I made clear, the review will address two key issues. The first is legal: whether the law is defective in the case of bodily harm or death from a cyclist, and specifically whether, as the rule of law demands, there is an adequate remedy here. Our aim is to complete this work early in the new year.
The second issue is broader: how to make the roads safer for all users. After the legal review there will be a public consultation, and road user groups and the general public will be invited to submit their views and evidence then.The second issue is broader: how to make the roads safer for all users. After the legal review there will be a public consultation, and road user groups and the general public will be invited to submit their views and evidence then.
To be clear: I am a keen cyclist myself, and I am absolutely aware of the number of cyclists killed and injured every year. The purpose of the review is to make our roads safer for all users, and the safety of cyclists will be a key element of that.To be clear: I am a keen cyclist myself, and I am absolutely aware of the number of cyclists killed and injured every year. The purpose of the review is to make our roads safer for all users, and the safety of cyclists will be a key element of that.
Far from “ignoring the bigger problem”, we are shining a light on it. Far from “rushing to judgment”, we are moving forward in a phased and measured way.Far from “ignoring the bigger problem”, we are shining a light on it. Far from “rushing to judgment”, we are moving forward in a phased and measured way.
It’s never good when a journalist accuses someone unfairly, let alone (as in this case) without making any effort to contact them and get their views. As a cyclist herself, Laker should be welcoming this initiative, not denouncing it.It’s never good when a journalist accuses someone unfairly, let alone (as in this case) without making any effort to contact them and get their views. As a cyclist herself, Laker should be welcoming this initiative, not denouncing it.
Jesse Norman, cycling ministerJesse Norman, cycling minister
Cycling
Bike blog
Transport policy
Transport
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