Cyclists have killed three in past six years

 

This is a correction to the previous blog in which I wrote “to the best of my knowledge” the last cyclist to kill someone was in 2016.

The story commented on how the danger from cyclists had been grossly exaggerated in the right wing press following statements from transport minister Grant Shapps.

That’s not to ignore the flagrant disregard for the safety of others posed by reckless riding, issues which the proposed changes in the law are intended to address.

Roger Geffen, Policy Director of Cycling UK, informs me there have been two other fatalities caused by people riding bikes since the one I referred to, which was in 2016.

The three deaths.-

In February 2016 Charlie Alliston knocked over and killed Kim Briggs as she crossed Old Street in London. His fixed wheel bike had no front brake. 

Briggs, a mother of two, suffered “catastrophic” head injuries and died in hospital a week later.

Alliston was cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of causing bodily harm by “wanton and furious driving”, a crime under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail.

He received an 18-month sentence.

In July 2020, in a hit and run, Ermir Loka, 23, struck Peter McCombie on Bow Road, Tower Hamlets, as he was walking home from work.

Mr McCombie, 72, died eight days later from injuries sustained in the crash.

Loka handed himself into police a little over three weeks later.

He was jailed for two years after being convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving.

In June 2021, in another hit and run, Stewart McGinn, 29, riding on the pavement and taking a corner at speed, ran head on into Mrs

Elizabeth Stone, 79. She suffered a fatal head injury.  

McGinn pleaded guilty to causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court. He was jailed for one year.