The son of an 81-year-old woman who died after being hit by a cyclist in central London has called for the introduction of speed limits for bicycles to enhance pedestrian safety. Gerard Griffiths' mother was struck in Regent's Park in June 2022, suffering severe brain bleeding and multiple fractures. She passed away 59 days later. The cyclist involved was not prosecuted, as a tribunal deemed the incident an "accidental cycling collision death."
Plea to Westminster City Council
During a full council meeting on Thursday, Mr Griffiths urged Westminster City Council to implement bike speed limits and other measures to deter cyclists from riding at high speeds or recklessly. He stated, "Westminster has always been a leader in local council innovation – introducing speed limits for cyclists will act as a deterrent and change the behaviour of those who choose to ignore the rules. Although national limits don’t apply, councils can set limits for all vehicles including bikes."
Mr Griffiths shared his personal tragedy, saying, "This is personal for me; my 81-year-old mother was killed by a cyclist travelling at 29 miles an hour. At a slower speed, this tragedy may have been avoided. The cyclist said he had zero reaction time."
International Precedents
He highlighted that other European countries have already adopted measures to protect pedestrians from cyclists. For instance, the Netherlands recently initiated a two-week trial of a 12mph speed limit for cyclists in Houten, near Utrecht. Concluding his emotional address, Mr Griffiths asked the council, "Will Westminster lead the way on cycle speed limits and what will you do to protect pedestrians?"
Current Legal Framework
British cyclists are not legally required to adhere to the same speed limits as motorists. However, some areas have local bylaws restricting cyclist speeds, such as on Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park. Councillor Tim Mitchell, Cabinet Member for City Management, responded that there is no legislation governing speed limits for bikes or e-bikes. He noted that failing to stop at a red light is a criminal offence enforceable by police.
Cllr Mitchell said, "I absolutely agree that cyclists speeding, riding on pavements and ignoring red lights pose a real danger to pedestrians and other road users. We all should ensure that we observe the highway code, be we pedestrians, cyclists or drivers of motor vehicles." He added that councils lack the power to enforce red light offences but collaborate with police. The council is working with Lime Bikes to enforce actions at hotspots across the city. He expressed condolences for the death of Mrs Griffiths.
