Former Top Gear host says cyclists ‘not match sufficient’ for velocity limits | UK | News | EUROtoday

Former Top Gear presenter James May says restrictions don’t must be imposed on cyclists, as a result of a majority aren’t match sufficient to trigger hurt to pedestrians.

Mr May, a eager bike owner, was speaking after a pedestrian was killed whereas strolling her canine within the park after she was concerned in a collision with a bicycle.

Earlier this month and inquest heard 81-year-old Hilda Griffiths died after being concerned in a collision with bike owner Brian Fitzgerald in 2022.

Mr Fitzgerald is believed to have been biking at 29mph by Regents Park, whereas finishing timed laps utilizing a Garmin machine, studies The Telegraph.

Police stated there was “insufficient evidence” to cost the bike owner and that driving legal guidelines solely apply to “mechanically propelled” automobiles.

Speaking on Times Radio, Grand Tour presenter Mr May stated: “I don’t think people should try to achieve personal bests through places like London.

“And I don’t think people should race around the park. I think that is disrespectful and irresponsible and can lead to accidents.

“The vast majority of people can’t achieve even 20mph on a bicycle. I ride a lot in London, and I’m not particularly fit and I’m getting quite old. But even so, my average speed is usually 10 to 12mph and I’m putting my back into it.”

The TV star also rejected calls for number plates to be added to bicycles as they cannot cause the same level of damage as motor vehicles.

During an inquest into retired nursery teacher Mrs Griffiths’ death, it was heard that Mr Fitzgerald had been cycling with a group of three other riders.

He spotted the walker a “break up second” before the incident. This meant he was unable to avoid the collision.

A spokesman for Royal Parks told The Telegraph: “We are working carefully with the police and different companions, notably the Crown Estate Paving Commission, to assessment if there are any extra measures we are able to put in place to encourage protected biking within the park, as we have now finished in Richmond Park the place we have now launched raised crossing factors, improved signage and different highway infrastructure.”

Under present legal guidelines, a bike owner can solely be prosecuted for killing a pedestrian utilizing archaic legal guidelines meant for horse-drawn carriages.

However, former Conservative Party chief Sir Iain Duncan Smith needs to vary the regulation. He tabled a sequence of amendments that will impose harder penalties on cyclists in addition to individuals utilizing e-bikes, electrical scooters and unicycles ought to they kill somebody.