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London e-bike rider in court accused of dangerous driving

(12 posts)
  • Started 5 years ago by EdinburghCycleCam
  • Latest reply from Murun Buchstansangur

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  1. EdinburghCycleCam
    Member

    https://road.cc/content/news/267863-london-e-bike-rider-court-accused-causing-death-pedestrian-dangerous-driving

    A man who was riding an e-bike when he allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian in East London has appeared in court accused of causing death by dangerous driving in what is believed to be the first case of its kind, with the prosecution asserting that the bicycle exceeded permitted power limits.

    The rider is being charged as a motorist, because the e-bike had been illegally modified, but I'm surprised they're being charged with dangerous driving, when a motorist most likely wouldn't be charged as such.

    Also, inb4 the "all cyclists are a menace" Alliston sentiment for the next few months...

    Posted 5 years ago #

  2. crowriver
    Member

    "I'm surprised they're being charged with dangerous driving, when a motorist most likely wouldn't be charged as such."

    Hm. No license. No insurance. Killed someone.

    Yeah, a motorist would probably get a driving ban and community service and/or a few hundred quid fine.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  3. EdinburghCycleCam
    Member

    I suppose the difference is that for a dangerous driving charge, you have to show that the driver was deliberately dangerous - modifying the vehicle could fall under that.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  4. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    I fear the defendant here may be another 'unsympathetic' character, or be portrayed as such given he left the scene.

    I saw a CCTV video of this before the lady died. From memory it didn't seem that big a collision. The cyclist didn't appear to be going particularly quickly (though the street in question is a 20). The pedestrian was crossing against the lights and the cyclist was visible for seconds before (obviously that works both ways).

    Curious how so many hit-and-run cyclists are quickly apprehended compared to motorists, despite license plates, DVLA, etc. One might begin to suspect the police put more effort in when the miscreant is a cyclist. (For the record, I believe the police should put maximum effort into tracing and prosecuting to the full extent of the law, all those who leave the scene of a collision.)

    Posted 5 years ago #

  5. crowriver
    Member

    Seen the CCTV footage. The woman literally runs out in front of the guy on the bike, who does not appear to be going particularly fast.

    Daily Fail clearly implying the rider is a thug. Maybe he is, maybe not. Certainly seems to have made a swift exit from the scene of the collision, with pringled front wheel on bike clearly visible.

    Typical motorist strategy would be to plead guilty to a lesser charge in a plea bargain; or plead that it was a "momentary lapse of attention"; or that the victim's own actions contributed to the collision; or all three. If his lawyer has any sense that's what will happen here.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  6. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    "Typical motorist strategy would be to plead guilty to a lesser charge in a plea bargain" and the prosecution would accept it. Be interesting to see what happens here.

    Actually, on the basis of the CCTV I saw, I believe a motorist would never have been charged, except possibly with leaving the scene. But there you go.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  7. Try Cycle
    Member

    There's a couple of cases in the Irish courts at the moment where people have been charged for driving without a license/insurance type offences. The law is a little vague, so both cases are on hold til December but the police seem adamant that eBike & scooter riders should have a license and insurance.

    Also, there's been some drink driving convictions for people caught on an eBike after a few beers

    Posted 5 years ago #

  8. ejstubbs
    Member

    Curious how so many hit-and-run cyclists are quickly apprehended compared to motorists

    Mr Hanlon contacted police a few hours after the incident and was taken in to custody the next day.

    I can't remember whether Mr Alliston left the scene of his collision with Ms Briggs. He wouldn't have been too difficult to track down anyway, given how he was spouting about it on social media.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  9. stiltskin
    Member

    If you illegally modify a vehicle, you are going to get dealt with far more severly than you otherwise would.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  10. toomanybikes
    Member

    Bit of a crap article. Suggests only illegal if power and speed limits broken.

    Also suggests it hinges on his speed exceeding 15.5mph, which is totally legal as long as its your legs getting you there.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  11. stiltskin
    Member

    His problem is that once he has modded the bike he is no longer on a (electric) bicycle, he is on a motor vehicle. Therefore he can be done for all the offences a car driver can be: Like speeding, or having no insurance.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  12. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    I think the charge means he was alleged to be in excess of 20mph (the speed limit for the road), which wouldn't be enforceable for a bike (or human-powered e-bike) but he has allegedly modded it so it is treated as a motor vehicle. Of course there are other charges that could be used against a non e-cyclist with excess speed.

    Posted 5 years ago #

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