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Baroness bicycle basher
Nicholas Cecil, Political Correspondent14.01.08
When a veteran Tory baroness spotted a cyclist jumping a red light and almost running her down outside the House of Lords she did not hesitate to act.
In the grand tradition of political handbaggings, Lady Sharples swung her bag and delivered the errant rider a sharp blow.
Today, the 84-year-old peer recalled the incident and said she wished she had hit him harder.
She has spoken out in Parliament about the encounter, sparking fresh calls for the Government and Mayor Ken Livingstone to consider forcing cyclists to put registration plates on their bikes.
Former publican Lady Sharples voiced the anger of many pedestrians who feel they face a growing threat from so-called rogue cyclists. She urged cycling groups to do more to encourage courteous behaviour on the roads.
Recalling the incident outside the Lords, shortly before Christmas, she said: "I had a bag and I swiped him. I did not hit him hard enough." She said she had been endangered by cyclists three times recently on the capital's streets.
"They are a ruddy nuisance," she said. "I know they need to get to work and a lot of them behave properly, but there are an increasing number that just don't obey the lights and it's not fair on pedestrians."
The peer, whose first husband Sir Richard Sharples, former Tory MP for Sutton and Cheam, was assassinated while serving as Governor of Bermuda in 1973, floated the idea of cyclists needing a licence but is concerned that such a lawmay not be workable. "It's up to cycling organisations - they should tell their members," she said. "Laws have got to be good. If they don't work they are worse than useless."
Men were a particular threat, she said, adding: "Women do, in general, stop at the lights when they see somebody crossing."
The baroness was concerned that she may have put herself at risk of being sued by the cyclist after lashing out at him.
But, surprisingly, the Government's transport spokesman Lord Bassam, backed her action, saying that she "probably did the right thing".
Mr Livingstone has floated the idea of introducing a registration plate system for bikes which would make it easier to identify cyclists riding dangerously. Backbench Tory MP Mark Pritchard urged ministers to investigate plates for bikes to curb accidents involving cyclists.
He said: "The Government needs to investigate ways which make it easier to identify cyclists who break the law. One possibility to be investigated could be to have a Swiss-style number plate system for bikes. Cyclist etiquette would improve if they could no longer remain anonymous."
Mr Livingstone has sought to clamp down on dangerous cyclists, with police issuing £60-on-the-spot fines for riding on pavements or jumping lights.
Last year, the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on London's roads rose from 340 to 372, with deaths increasing from eight to 21. At least 300,000 people cycle in the capital every day.
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372 cyclists died last year on the roads your article says. Most of them from stopping at red lights to then be run over by drivers not paying attention. A recent report concluding this cannot be published because it demonstrated that riding through red is sometimes safer than stopping for it. The observation in your article that women DO stop for lights is also reflected in the death toll; most are women cyclists.
If I would have a pound for every pedestrian that crossed the road without looking or waiting for their green light and walking straight into my path while cycling I would be rich. And if I would have a penny for every car/van/hgv driving fool that did not indicate, went through red, made a dangerous manoeuvre or swerved into my path while cycling I would be even richer. How about solutions that are best for everyone and not just drivers and to a lesser extent pedestrians? Look at how Denmark and The Netherlands deal with cycling for good ideas. And don't rely on any politician here in the UK, including Livingstone, to come up with the goods they promised. I have yet to see a solution to road problems in London that benefits green long-distance commuting - i.e. cycling. I think cyclist-bashing has gone on for way too long here in the UK. When will people finally realise they are the solution not the problem? Does oil really need to run out first, forcing drivers onto bikes before all blinkered people finally awaken?
- Angry Cyclist, Richmond
I was nearly killed last Wednesday by a car deciding to stop suddenly to do a U turn in the road, and I swearved onto my left side at 20mph to avoid hitting him. Thank god I had a helmet as I hit the road with great force. People don't understand that we cyclists don't have much control compared to cars, and when drivers and pedestrians obstruct our path it's usually going to be impossible to stop. I think this sort of careless driving, and thoughtless pedestrians cause far more danger than the occasional moronic cyclist running red lights, or riding on the pavement. Are pedestrians going to have number plates too?
- Philip, London
Cyclists should abide by traffic rules considering they are on the roads. Duh!
- Charlie, London
