A son whose 81-year-old mother was killed after being struck by a cyclist in a central London park has called for bike speed limits to protect pedestrians. Gerard Griffiths lost his mother after she was hit while walking in Regent's Park in June 2022.
Mother's Death and Aftermath
Following the collision, Mrs Griffiths suffered brain bleeding and multiple fractures, dying 59 days later. The cyclist was not prosecuted, and a tribunal ruled the death an 'accidental cycling collision death'.
On Thursday, June 18, Mr Griffiths asked Westminster City Council to introduce bike speed limits and other measures to curb reckless cycling. He noted that other European countries have already implemented protections, such as dedicated bike paths in parks.
Call for Action
Mr Griffiths 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.'
He added: '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.'
Mr Griffiths pointed to the Netherlands, which recently began a two-week trial of a 12mph speed limit for cyclists in Houten, near Utrecht. He concluded: 'Will Westminster lead the way on cycle speed limits and what will you do to protect pedestrians?'
Current Legal Situation
British cyclists are not legally required to adhere to the same speed limits as motorists. Some areas have local bylaws restricting cyclist speeds, such as Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park.
Councillor Tim Mitchell, Cabinet Member for City Management, responded that there is no legislation to govern speed limits for bikes or e-bikes. However, failing to stop at a red light is a criminal offence enforceable by police.
He 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.'
Cllr Mitchell noted the council has no power to enforce red light offences but works alongside police. The council is collaborating with Lime Bikes to enforce action at hotspots. He expressed condolences for Mrs Griffiths' death.
