Login
My Garage
New hero

Drivers: Give Cyclists A ‘Narrow Place’ And Reclaim The Road

By Stephen Turvil | December 15, 2020

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

Give motorists priority on the road, regulate cyclists, and give riders a ‘very narrow place’

Drivers: Give Cyclists A ‘Narrow Place’ And Reclaim The Road

Drivers must reclaim the road if traffic is to flow smoothly so cyclists should only have a ‘narrow place’, lawyer Nick Freeman suggested. He is not anti-cyclist, though. He simply argued that there are far, far more drivers on the road so they must have priority. Motorists account for about 96% of traffic, he confirmed.

Mr Freeman told the Express: ‘I am not saying we should disbandon cycle lanes – but I suggest they have a place. It should be a very narrow place, ideally in a protected environment by a kerb or bollards. It does not have to be wide. They can cycle in single file. Let us hand the road back to motorists who urgently need it.’

Drivers: Give Cyclists A ‘Narrow Place’ And Reclaim The Road Image

Remove obstacles

The lawyer also suggested that there must be more emphasis on removing obstacles that make cars, vans, and lorries stop unnecessarily if traffic is to flow smoothly. ‘Let us get rid of everything that prevents traffic from flowing’, Mr Freeman emphasised. ‘I do not say at a vast speed but just at a constant steady flow. To do that you have to free up road space’, he stated.

He also argued that better traffic flow minimises a number of problems. Pollution, for instance. Why? Because vehicles that have a combustion engine and sit in traffic – yet barely move – still emit pollutants that damage the environment. Such pollution also causes numerous health issues. Breathing difficulties, for example.

Mr Freeman also said that better traffic flow is good for motorists’ mental health. It is stressful to be consistently delayed, after all. He also refereed to the ‘constant wear and tear’ to the road caused by stop-start traffic. There is the ‘cost to the economy’ too, he said. Why? Because lost time is lost money.

Make cyclists accountable

The lawyer added that cyclists should be identifiable rather than anonymous, so they are held to account. He argued: ‘It should be compulsory for every cyclist to wear a hi-vis jacket with a registration number (akin to a number plate). There should also be compulsory insurance and a points system for rule breakers. Sharing the road with motorists means sharing the law’, Mr Freeman claimed.

The lawyer then summarised his position. ‘People will still be allowed to cycle but they should have a place. It should be a small place because they represent a tiny minority. However, they are entitled to a space – in my view only – if they are properly regulated. We should be able to identify them’, Mr Freeman claimed.

Related Articles

New speed cameras coming to the UK: Here’s what you need to know
Let’s take a look at three new types of cameras already in operation in the UK – and another that could be coming soon.
Nov 30, 2023
Is the money from scrapped HS2 going to be used for the roads?
This funding has the possibility of making a significant difference on UK roads, but how much is likely to be set aside, and what is the...
Nov 30, 2023
Keyless cars: What are they, how do they work and how can you prevent theft?
Keyless cars continue to be prone to theft
Nov 28, 2023
Fuel prices fall sharply after retailers panic when market watchdog highlights their greed
The AA has reported that £2 was almost instantly knocked off the cost of a tank of petrol after the Competition and Markets Authority...
Nov 28, 2023