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Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 47<br />
Legal Matters<br />
Wheels of Fortune<br />
Words from Donald Reid, chairman at Mitchells Roberton:<br />
The narrow streets and heavy traffic prevalent in the West End make<br />
the advice below from my colleague very apt. Cycling is definitely a<br />
dangerous pursuit. I prefer jaywalking myself.<br />
Cycling is great. Great exercise.<br />
Great for the environment. Great fun<br />
for all ages. The UK excels at a<br />
professional level. Why are cyclists not<br />
universally adored as saviours of the world<br />
and applauded daily by other road users?<br />
Probably because – Newsflash – bicycles are<br />
traffic. And lots of cyclists pretend otherwise.<br />
Too many cyclists ignore basic rules<br />
like having operational lights. Too many<br />
ignore red lights and/or choose to cycle<br />
on pavements (‘shared use’ pavements<br />
excepted).<br />
There is no question that cyclists are<br />
vulnerable road users. In a collision with<br />
a vehicle, they will come off second best.<br />
A car driver’s insurance should provide<br />
cover if they injure a cyclist or damage their<br />
property. But no law says cyclists must have<br />
insurance. So what happens when the cyclist<br />
causes an accident?<br />
No doubt, leisure / weekend cyclists consider<br />
the risk small enough to manage. Perhaps<br />
some think their car insurance will cover them<br />
(it doesn’t). But what about all the commuting<br />
cyclists? Typical cycling insurance annual<br />
premiums are £30. Basic membership of<br />
cycling bodies often includes third party<br />
insurance for about the same price.<br />
The message to cyclists is clear. Take out<br />
insurance. Don’t lose your (lycra) shirt<br />
for £30.<br />
If Paul Neilly can help<br />
please contact him on<br />
0141 552 3422, or email<br />
pdn@mitchells-roberton.<br />
co.uk.<br />
An uninsured cyclist with no assets or income<br />
will not be worth suing. The Motor Insurers<br />
Bureau offers no indemnity for uninsured<br />
cyclists. But the injured driver or pedestrian<br />
might have to pay a solicitor to find out the<br />
two-wheeled miscreant is made of straw.<br />
Alternatively, if a cyclist does have<br />
recoverable assets or income, they could<br />
lose their home or be made bankrupt if they<br />
cannot settle the injured party’s losses.<br />
Insured cyclists are probably in the minority.<br />
Mitchells Roberton Solicitors<br />
& Estate Agents<br />
George House<br />
36 North Hanover Street G1 2AD<br />
0141 552 3422<br />
www.mitchells-roberton.co.uk
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