A Tory politician is calling for a ban on mobile phone use on bikes or e-scooters after a worrying incident involving a cyclist near Parliament.
Pickering’s Baroness McIntosh wants the law to be changed so that cyclists are prosecuted in the same way as drivers for the offense of using a phone.
There is no specific offense for a cyclist using a phone, but a minister pointed out that cyclists can be prosecuted for negligent or dangerous cycling.
This carries fines of up to £2,500.
Baroness McIntosh’s call for a change in the law comes after updates to the Highway Code in January that included a road user hierarchy aimed at protecting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
Lady McIntosh questioned why Rule 149 of the Code, which requires motorists to “maintain proper control of your vehicle at all times” and prohibits the use of a mobile phone while driving, does not apply to cyclists and other road users.
To illustrate her point, she said she recently walked to the Parliament building and as she was crossing the street, she suddenly noticed a cyclist coming towards her with a cell phone, “one hand on the bike, one hand on the cell phone “Wrong side of the road”.
She added, “I didn’t realize if he was going to quit or not.”
- Walking and cycling have priority in the new road traffic regulations
- When and where can I legally ride an e-scooter?
- The mechanics hack e-scooter speed limits
She said some cyclists and riders of e-scooters and e-bikes were using cell phones “inappropriately” and challenged the Department of Transport why it hadn’t addressed the issue.
The former minister said e-scooters were “even more worrying” as some people felt “absolutely terrorized” by those using them “irresponsibly”.
Of course, the use of e-scooters is completely illegal on most public roads anyway – regardless of whether the owner uses a mobile phone at the same time or not. They can only be lawfully used in one of the areas where an official rental system operates, as part of an ongoing government process.
Lady McIntosh called on the government to “create criminal offenses related to dangerous, careless and reckless cycling for users of pedal bikes, electronically assisted bicycles and e-scooters”.
Norbiton Transport Minister Baroness Vere said existing laws already ban cyclists and e-scooter riders from using mobile phones.
She said: “It is not a specific offense to ride a bicycle and use a mobile phone or headphones, but cyclists and e-bike riders can be caught by the police for negligent and dangerous cycling with a maximum fine of £1,000 and £2,500 respectively be prosecuted.”
She later said that regulations in the government’s current e-scooter trial already state that it is a criminal offense to use a handheld cellphone while using one. Rule breakers could be fined and receive six penalty points, she added.
Add Comment