Compensation claims ‘could be made easier for cyclists’

Posted 20/09/2009

New proposals from a government agency could be set to make it easier for cyclists involved in car accidents to prove liability and make compensation claims.

Cycling England has put forward suggestions for the owner of the most powerful vehicle in any collision to be held legally responsible, regardless of any other contributing factors.

This civil law change would offer greater protection to bicycle or motorbike owners who are involved in an accident with a car, while pedestrians would also find it easier to claim for compensation.

The suggestions have been made in order to encourage road users to cycle or walk, which would aid the UK’s carbon reduction initiatives.

Phillip Darnton, chief executive of Cycling England, also proposed the reduction of speed limits in residential and suburban areas to 20 mph in order to make the streets safer for non-drivers.

Last week, the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland told the BBC that more should be done to encourage innocent road accident victims to assert their legal right to take advice and make compensation claims.