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He should have been locked up.

- David Sanderson, Grimsby UK, 21/08/2008 08:56
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Whether it was an auto, bicycle or he sprinted into her it should not matter. The most important thing is how negligent Jason Howard was and the circumstances of the accident. If the above story is accurate I think more than a fine is warranted.

- Norm, South Haven, USA, 15/07/2008 21:35
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On the same day, a lorry driver who pulled out of a junction without looking and killed a cyclist was found guilty of careless driving and fined £275. In contrast to this case, the media have not decided to whip up public hatred against arrogant, murderous lorry drivers.
Those of you who say that it's one rule for motorists and another for cyclists have got it right.

- Don Shipp, Barnet, Herts., 10/07/2008 11:20
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Manslaughter minimum. Cyclists seem to think that they are not only above the law but they are simultaneously saving the planet.

- Charlie, London, 09/07/2008 23:46
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There is clearly something wrong with our so called legal system when such a blatant disregard for human life is treated with such leniency. Apparently, this was not his first offence, how surprising! In any decent society this man would have been locked away for a very long time!

- Kate, shrewsbury, 09/07/2008 21:02
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Lj, the cyclist who died running a red light did not have only himself to blame, the motorist was speeding (45 in 30 zone) and sending a text on her mobile at the time of the accident.
As for wearing a helmet, this is not a legal requirement and since cyclists have a lower rate of traffic accident deaths than pedestrians common sense doesn't it them either; Rhiannon would have lived if she'd been wearing one but that doesn't mean that she should have been.
Boys on bikes sometimes run the lights and girls who've been drinking sometimes walk into the road so anyone in charge of a vehicle needs to watch out for those who are careless of their own safety. But in spite of this case, which only received all this publicity because of it's rarity, cyclists pose a very small risk to pedestrians whereas motorists pose a much larger risk to pedestrians and all other road users besides.
Aside from her parent's grief, the rest of all this righteous indignation against cyclists as a group from people who regard road deaths from motor traffic as of less concern than the weather is unsavoury, to say the least.

- Don Shipp, Barnet, London, 09/07/2008 16:52
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The problem is that no one seems to police or offer basic highway training to cyclists.
I am a pedestrian, not a car driver, and walk to work every day. Almost everyday on my 20 minute walk I see a cyclist acting wrecklessly- either riding on the pavement or passing through red lights at speed when pedestrians are crossing. Sure, cars can do more damage, but a smaller and more nimble object is sometimes harder for the pedestrian to avoid.
Clearly encouraging cycling is a good thing, but we have to make sure cyclists behave responsibly for the sake of the pedestrian. The numbers of cyclists are rising and there are no clear rules.

- Mj, london, 09/07/2008 16:27
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I have been working in Dusseldorf recently, and there cyclist quite happily, and legally, share the pavement with pedestrians.

It seems to work fine as cyclists are slower, more considerate, have heavier bikes, and don't wear lycra!

- Nick, London, 09/07/2008 15:57
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I believe this is the only cyclist/pedestrian collision resulting in a death this year.

In the same period, there have been roughly 1000 deaths as a result of cars & lorries.

However, there have been 35 comments on this item, calling for everything from lifetime incarceration to manslaughter charges. And this, all for someone who hit a drunk teenager in the road at 17mph!

Nothing demonstrates the voracity and hatred of cyclists more than this reaction. Why don't these people put the same effort into trying to get cars banned? Ir is it that they happen to own cars and don't consider them a problem?

Only this morning, someone got hit by an HGV near me. It won't even make the local news.

- George, London, 09/07/2008 14:55
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In reply to Patrick Griffin, Dalston who says "If the cyclist had been knocked down and killed it would not have even been reported and probably would have never got to court."

Actually wasn't it the case recently that a young female driver was sent to prison for killing a cyclist who only had himself to blame by running a red light and not wearing a helmet?

Get off your high horse Patrick. Why do cyclists feel they don't have to obey the rules of the road which are there for a reason?

The sooner cyclist have to start paying a reduced road tax and have a number late system the better.

- Patrick Griffin, Dalston, London

- Lj, London, 09/07/2008 14:48
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Richard in Madrid, your imaginings are one thing, facts are another.
James in London, motorists kill two pedestrians every DAY. And three cyclists every week and six other motorists every day so how can you believe that cyclists are the most dangerous road users?
If your journey is 2.5 miles then you should cycle it yourself and then you can be an example of good behaviour to all of us.

- Don Shipp, Barnet, London., 09/07/2008 14:41
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I cant believe some of the comments on here. Its sad the girl has died, but the cyclist did not purposely go out with the intention of killing this girl, she walked out in the road in front of him, had he swerved to miss her and been killed by an on coming car, or was injured falling off, would she have been responsible for his death or injury? Had she not stepped into the road, this tragic accident would not have happened. He must have had a crap lawyer!

- Paxton, N17, 09/07/2008 14:36
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MY sympathies are with the parents of this poor girl.

A Few years ago my wife and I were walking in Edinburgh in a new outdoor shopping centre with our then-2 year old son. Without warning a man and woman on bicycles came hammering around the corner yelling at everyone to get out of the way. I had to scoop my son up quickly or he would have been run down. The man raced past us at speed. He turned snarling "yeah, Yeah" when I shouted after him. These were both rather posh sounding individuals on expensive cycles.

Since then I have seen several incidents of women with pushchairs, elderly people and others having to jump out of the way of cyclists who appear to think they have sole right to the use of both road and pavement - and few if any use bells or hand signals.

It is high time that some sort of licensing was introduced to ensure that those who misbehave can be identified and fined.

- Andrew Dougal, Edinburgh UK, 09/07/2008 14:24
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Yet another example of an arrogant cyclist believing the law doesn't apply to him. I can't believe he only got away with a fine of £2k+. There is no difference to what he did, and someone driving a car or motorbike into a crowd of people - yet they would get jail time for such an offence.
I'm fed up with this little Hitlers on their bikes. 4 times in 3 weeks I've nearly been hit by cyclists running a red light on the same pedestrian crossing. Next time, I guarantee they'll finish up face down on the road.

- Tony, Brighton, 09/07/2008 13:20
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I have recently seen some very reckless cyclists who swerve around my 19 month old son whilst we are crossing on a zebra or pedestrian crossing, which I feel is intimidating and very dangerous. I think cyclists should have to follow the same road rules as drivers, as many are underestimating the speeds they can reach, and decide to go on both sides of cars, whizz through red lights, mount the pavement whenever there is traffic and turn down one way roads.
I feel so sorry for these poor parents, especially as it seems from the story that this man continues to be unsafe on the roads. Perhaps compulsory Cycling Proficiency wouldn't be a bad idea?

- Smb, London, UK, 09/07/2008 13:20
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I am a regular cyclist and have been for years. Sometimes people walk in the road as though you are not there, even when they look at you first. What this cyclist did disgusts me. He should have moved, not run into the girl. It's obvious that the bike plus rider is a lot of weight moving at speed and is therefore dangerous. He should have been put in prison for this.

- S. Dalton, Birmingham, 09/07/2008 13:06
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If the cyclist had been knocked down and killed it would not have even been reported and probably would have never got to court.

- Patrick Griffin, Dalston, London, 09/07/2008 13:03
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What a travesty. This arrogant person should be behind bars. Having had experience of this type of cyclist I feel that they should be licensed. He is the type of cyclist that goes over red lights and then expects people to get out of his way. My heart goes out to the parents of Rhiannon.

- Louie, London, 09/07/2008 12:56
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Yet another story about a growing breed of aggressive cyclists! I wonder if this one was wearing the regulation Lycra? Whether this particular one was on the pavement or the road, committing a traffic violation or not - the evidence seems to be crystal clear. It was his attitude that killed this poor girl.

- Keith, Norwich, 09/07/2008 12:21
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It is a sad state of affairs that a human life has been taken here in this accident. But let us remember that this is what it was. An accident. This man did not cycle out of his home that morning planning to kill anyone. And all the comments about 'children'. If she was an angelic 'child' why was she drinking lager in a park. Both anti-social and illegal.

- Lydia Forthrop, St Leonards on Sea, 09/07/2008 11:52
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The article fails to mention that she had been drinking Stella Artois in a public place [& underage]. Pedestrians must follow the highway code, she did not in this case. If the case involved a car, would it have had the same coverage? This is unhelpful at a time when we need to promote cycling as sustainable transport.

- Rds, london, 09/07/2008 10:57
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I have a daughter called Rhiannon. That she should grow to 22 and then be snuffed out by an arrogant pig who had a bit of kerfuffle on his bike - it doesn't matter whether they were on the pavement or in the road, people don't deserve to die because they step in the road - this wasn't an unavoidable accident! I can't believe what I am reading today. And I can't believe some of the comments on this site, this is someone's child, a human life. And you wonder why knife crime is so prevalent - why should teenagers value another's life, when clearly so many "adults" don't? The man could have swerved, it was his choice, he admitted it. He should be prosecuted for manslaughter, its not difficult to work out.

- Mandi, Kent, UK, 09/07/2008 09:49
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If this incident had involved a car instead of a cyclist would it even be news? I very much doubt it. The fact is the cyclist was travelling below the speed limit (which does not apply to bicycles anyway), apparently on the road and hit a pedestrian who moved at the last moment. His mistake was trusting the teenagers not to do anything unexpected.

- Stuart, London, 09/07/2008 09:06
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Having read as much about this case as I can find, I think that it is clear that Howard had been riding legally on the road. If he was on the pavement at any time it was either as a result of swerving in an attempt to avoid the girl who'd stepped into the road or where he ended up after the collision.
His reasons for not slowing down are not given; it could be that he was being an inconsiderate oaf or it could be that he believed that a group of drunken teenagers were deliberately obstructing him with the intention of mugging him, which has happened to cyclists before.
Why was the issue of rear and pedal reflectors raised in Court? They had no bearing on the case al all. Unless it was dark then reflectors are not required by law, and in any case it's a law that is almost impossible to comply with as they cannot be fitted to most types of pedal these days.

- Don Shipp, Barnet, London., 09/07/2008 08:53
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Anthony, London NW1. I have read two stories this morning, and both of them had comments from you about women being over weight, when there is clearly no evidence to form that opinion. I think the problem lies with you my friend, and your underlying issue with women. Spare a thought for the people involved.

- Fraser, SW1, 09/07/2008 08:40
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Surely dangerous cycling should be in-line with dangerous driving, and a new offence created for death by dangerous cycling, if people think it would be a deterrent?

Many reports suggest he was riding on the pavement, when it seems they were both on the road and she hit her head on the pavement. I have seen plenty of cyclists being played chicken with by local youths but they would hardly admit that, so it's hard to know where to stand.

Also, the article wrongly suggests that 23mph is speeding, which would only be the case in a 20-zone (I assume that would have been mentioned!) In fact, going at 2/3rds the speed limit is hardly speeding!

- Dave, Edinburgh, 09/07/2008 08:34
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I can't see anywhere where it says that he was riding on the pavement, or running a red light, yet 80% of the comments below refer to cyclists on the pavement.

From what I can gather, he was riding on the road, and she was walking in the road. His offence was not to slow down (pedestrians do have the right to be in the road, and the case seems to boil down to the fact that he didn't accommodate her for walking in the road).

I recall from earlier reports that this group of teenagers had been drinking in a park which is something that usually gets people raging, but when a cyclist is involved, they suddenly become little angels.

Yet it seems it was necessary to say that his bike was unroadworthy because it was missing rear reflectors! This would not be a contributory factor.

- George, London, 09/07/2008 08:21
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I live in Buckingham and know the exact spot where this happened, the cyclist had every opportunity to get out of the way, who in their right minds cycles straight into a group of children?
This is not a busy road, more like a footpath with only a few cars each day. This man gets a thrill from riding his bike like an overgrown 5 yr old, anyone else in his situation would be gutted by what happened but not him.
Rough justice again in this country


My thoughts are with Mick & Di,
Rest in peace now Rhiannon x x x

- A Parent, Milton Keynes,UK, 09/07/2008 07:29
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I can imagine this piece of work clad in lycra, breaking every law in the book across Central London and spouting vitriol at anyone who dares to get in his way.

- Richard, Madrid, Spain, 08/07/2008 22:51
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Both were to blame her for being in the road and him for taking evasive action. This morning a woman was nearly hit by a cyclist because she stepped out into the road ignoring the pelican crossing being at red. We all have to take responsibility for the way we use the roads and pavement. I do object to cyclists on the pavement because it is dangerous, but it seems unclear whether he was riding on the pavement. Fine on 2 cans of Stella, I don't think so her judgement was clouded.

- Mary, Hornchurch, Essex, 08/07/2008 15:21
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Cyclists using pavements really make me angry. If they are so gutless and pathetic that they're unable to cycle on the road they shouldn't be riding a bike in the first place. Anyone found using the pavement should be given an automatic fine and this sad excuse for a human being should be banged up. He's a murderer.

- Lb, London, 08/07/2008 15:17
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As a cyclist myself, I have often had to swerve out of the way to avoid pedestrians who walk out into the cycle lane without looking. I've also had to confront three hoodies jumping out in front of me at night, and the other day, a group of teenage girls playing in the road would not get out of the way but instead jumped in front of my bike and tried to force me off. Just because this man is a cyclist don't demonise him. To me it sounds as if these kids were at least just as much at fault by larking about in the road, and that he probably ended up on the pavement as he was trying to avoid hitting them. Oh and why is it the police never seem to stop cars who run red lights? I see plenty who do, but they're only interested in stopping cyclists for some reason...

- Lesley, Hastings, England, 08/07/2008 14:25
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I am a driver and a cyclist. I would say that many cyclists I encounter while in my car or on my bike are very aggressive and very arrogant. It should be compulsory for cyclists to have public liability insurance and additionally, as fellow road users should have indicators and wing mirrors, the same as motorcycles do. Cyclists should follow the highway code the same as other road users and also, as the hardest to see on the road, should watch out for pedestrians and car users, not the other way around. Put the onus on the cyclists for safety, not everyone else.

- Bill, London, 08/07/2008 14:22
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Cyclists are the most dangerous road users. This morning on the way to work 12 jumped red lights, two cycled on pavements and 4 had a near collision with my cab. All of that on 2.5 mile journey.

- James, London, England, 08/07/2008 13:19
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And now someone has died, will the police do something about enforcing the law which says that pavements are for walking on, not cycling? My mother (85) is terrified of walking to her shops these days, because of these yobs, and is clearly quite right to suspect that if one of them hit her he would kill her.

The police should be arresting any adult cycling on a pavement. A sensible penalty would be to confiscate their bicycle and crush it (as is done with un-insured motorists' cars). The message would soon get out: use the road, or walk.

- Nigel, London, 08/07/2008 13:19
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Too many cyclists have the opinion that they have right of way everywhere. It is a constant battle not to get hit by one of them walking to work. Red lights are ignored, signs asking them to dismount where roads have been closed also seem to be ignored by them.

They should have the same penalties as if this person had been hit by a car or motorbike.

- Claire, London, 08/07/2008 13:10
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I'm a regular cyclist in London myself, albeit a cautious and fairly slow one. I think there's two sides to every story - there are always aggressive cyclists who take risks (running red lights, cycling fast on pavements etc) and they should be more aware of traffic (both pedestrian and motor) around them. However, there are also arrogant (and sometimes drunk) teenagers who think it is everyone else's responsibility to accommodate them. Even though I'm a slow cyclist who is extremely careful of other road users, I often have to shout at teenagers (and other people) to look before they step off the pavement into my way, not walk down the middle of the road etc etc.
I think this case is a matter of 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Hopefully Rhiannon's friends who witnessed this awful event will take more care in future, and Jason will take more care when cycling at high speed (17-25 miles an hour is FAST on a bike!).

- Liz H, London, 08/07/2008 12:39
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I have seen cyclist who think they don't need to stop at a red light. By running a red light, they have caused the cars which have the right of way to break suddenly, and nearly cause accidents. The cyclists then don't bother stopping to apologise.

I think this guy should be made an example of, and given a man slaughter sentence!

We need harsher penalties for all crimes, and maybe this will deter anyone thinking of breaking the law.

- Jiten Shah, London, 08/07/2008 12:22
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If this were a car or motorbike the outcome would have been very different, why does society think cycling is so separate from other forms of transport? Cycling is so dangerous that when I was hit by a cyclist (who was going the wrong way down a one way street, on the pavement at night with no lights) the adult cyclist was wearing a helmet as well as elbow pads.

The police do nothing which left me no alternative but to deal with the idiot myself.

- Ben, London, 08/07/2008 11:45
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How could he swerve to avoid her if she stepped in front of him at the last minute.

I don't know about there, but teenagers are a menace round London to road users, every time I drive or cycle after schools close there are kids playing chicken or just casually walking in the middle of fast busy roads.

- Nick, London, 08/07/2008 11:41
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Yeah you're right Kitty - they definitely think they are above the law. It's high time the law did something about this. Same happens here - they run red lights, ride on the pavement and when you politely point out they should be on the road you are met with a tirade of abuse... and then when an accident occurs who do they blame? The pedestrian/the motorist but never themselves.

- Barbara, sydney, Australia,, 08/07/2008 11:40
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This poor girl died after hitting her head on the pavement, but it has not been established whether this group were walking in the road.

If I was cycling down the road and a group of youths were in the road having been drinking I'm not sure I would want to slow down

- Dan, London, 08/07/2008 11:37
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I was knocked over by a cyclist going the wrong way down a one way street, narrowly missing hitting my head on the pavement. I was badly shaken. If I had done this in my car I would have, rightly, been imprisoned for dangerous driving. The cyclist continued cycling the wrong way afterwards!

- Sally Brooks, london uk, 08/07/2008 11:25
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I hate to say it but since few (if any) motorists get ever sent to prison for killing peds why should he? Unless we think that killing someone with a bicycle on the pavement is somehow worse than killing them with a car on the pavement.

- Stef Roberts, London, 08/07/2008 11:18
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Absolute tragedy that this young girl has died, but there is nothing in this report that says the cyclist was riding on the pavement, as others have suggested. It does states that he was travelling down the road, there is a comment at the end of the article that says "Its illegal to cycle on the pavement", which is an interesting comment as many pavements have had cycle lanes added to them! Maybe this guy could have avoided her and only he really knows why he didn't or why he chose not too. So the reason I guess he has not been charged with a more serious offence is that she was crossing or walking in the road in front of him, negligence on her part too. I will be very surprised if he gets convicted, he was not breaking the speed limit, he was not riding on the footpath or was he in any other contravention of any other road traffic offences

- Paxton, N17, 08/07/2008 11:06
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Why does the CPS shy away from charging this cyclist with constructive manslaughter?

- Blackstone Coke, London, 08/07/2008 10:10
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Illegal to ride on the pavement, no insurance, belting along too fast. Prison is the only place for him. Complete arrogant and belligerent attitude towards others.

- Frank, Home Counties, England, 08/07/2008 09:34
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Why do cyclists think they're above the rules of the road and above responsibility to others around them? I forever see them running red lights and almost colliding with pedestrians. It's absolute arrogance.

- Kitty, London, 08/07/2008 09:19
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It is all too common for gangs of teenagers to mill about in the road in front of cyclists, when they would not do the same when a car approaches. If you stop you will be abused and possibly attacked and if you don't, you run a risk of a collision. Such is my experience of cycling in England.

- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark, 08/07/2008 07:33
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England has got it made - in this county we have no programs where you can kill for $4.000. What a great country.

- Rich, San Angelo USA, 08/07/2008 02:24
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