Craig MacLean comes onboard

21/05/2014

Road Share campaign for presumed liability wins support from Scottish Olympic and Paralympic cycling star

A former Olympic Silver and Paralympic Gold medalist has become an official supporter of the Road Share campaign for presumed liability, which aims to change Scottish Civil Law to protect vulnerable road users involved in collisions.

Craig MacLean, originally from Grantown-on-Spey, is the only British cyclist (second ever) to have won medals at both Olympic and Paralympic games. Now, he’s lending his voice to the increasing call for presumed liability laws to be discussed in a Members Bill at the Scottish Parliament.

Craig, who was awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to cycling, is now joining the likes of Scottish Cycling, Pedal on Parliament, SPOKES, CTC Scotland, the driving schools RED and Pro-Scot, Nick Nairn, the Bike Station, the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative, Cameron McNeish, Scott and Jenny Hastings, Lesley Riddoch and paracyclist Karen Darke to support the work of the Road Share campaign.

Explaining the reasons behind his decision to become a supporter, Craig MacLean said:

“I fully support Road Share’s call for presumed liability as I believe any measure or campaign that raises the awareness of cyclist safety on our roads is a positive step forwards in improving the culture amongst all road users.

“As an experienced cyclist, riding both competitively and on Scotland’s roads, I have witnessed a noticeable change in the way drivers treat cyclists over the years.

“Now, particularly as a father, I feel much more aware of how drivers and cyclists interact in terms of space given, and how vulnerable groups are treated with no more respect than experienced riders.

“I agree with Road Share’s ethos of creating a mutual responsibility between all road users as it’s key that both cyclists and drivers behave courteously towards one another if we are to have any chance of establishing a regime of safety and protection for all.”

If implemented, a presumed liability regime would create a hierarchy of responsibility whereby motor vehicle drivers would be presumed liable for any loss, injury and damage caused to a cyclist involved in a collision. Also a cyclist would be presumed liable for loss, injury and damage caused to a pedestrian in any collision with a cycle thus ensuring the vulnerable are afforded more protection in Civil Law. The presumption of liability would still allow a driver or cyclist to allege fault or part-fault on the part of the injured cyclist or pedestrian.

As the proposals only relate to Civil Law, they would have no effect over the fundamental principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ under Scots Criminal Law.

Cycle Law Scotland founder, Brenda Mitchell, is a cyclist and Personal Injury lawyer of 25 years’ experience. She said:

“I am delighted to welcome Craig’s support for the Road Share campaign particularly given his vast experience as a cyclist in many different formats.

“I am pleased Craig is able to share in our vision to create a safer, more respectful cycling culture for all road users. I am confident that, if implemented as part of a package of measures, presumed liability could significantly reduce the number of collisions between motorists and cyclists and help to generate a much friendlier environment for all.

“It’s my belief that the introduction of presumed liability is a cost effective solution that can make an immediate contribution to decreasing cycle and pedestrian road deaths and importantly improve how we view one another on our roads.”

A dedicated steering group has now been established with the aim of researching the benefits of Civil Law reform on road safety and calling on the MSPs who already support the proposals to encourage others to join the campaign in order to help bring a Member’s Bill before Holyrood.

An online petition which now has almost 6000 signatures can be found here. Please add your signature.

Keep up to date with the latest events and musings from the RoadShare Campaign.

Road Share campaign for presumed liability wins support from Scottish Olympic and Paralympic cycling star

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MSP Supporters

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