That's what the lorry driver who killed Jason MacIntyre was fined - plus a six-month ban... :-(

So he saves more in fuel costs than he pays as a fine :S

That's not too bad given the current exchange rate. In Oz it's $1000 unless you're a lawyer in which case it's free.

I tell a lie, McGee was fined $3100

http://www.woj.com.au/about/bicycle-justice-blog/

He's not the first driver to get a £500 fine for killing. This guy took out an Aussie and kept going..
http://www.woj.com.au/2007/11/06/uk-...yclists-death/

and that woman killed at Kings Cross last year was killed by an HGV driver who was looking at his paperwork, whilst turning left. He wasn't banned - just the magic £500 fine. Its almost like saying 'here's a fine, but everything's fine'.

£500 is not much compared to the cyclist who ran over and killed a girl and got fined like £2,500.

I was expecting a want ad posted here... from London Paper or something! Whew ;)
Pretty sad that - in my mind redemption from killing another human should be about some arbitrary monitary amount. :(

Would seem that the Sheriff was suffering the limitations of the powers of the court. Further evidence that the is a need for an overhaul of the law.

It's worth bearing in mind that this penalty is only for the breach of the law, there is still an opportunity for a civil case to be bought by the family which looks not at the criminal culpability but at the effects the driver's actions have had on the family. The guilty verdict will have a bearing on how that kind of case would turn out.

Yeah but cyclists are EVIL

The judge in the MacIntyre case said that he was taking into mitigation the fact that Jason wasn't wearing fluorescent clothing and was 'hunched down' in an aerodynamic position...
FFS, it's like reducing the damages for rape victims who have been drinking...

if you want to kill somebody without involving guns, knives, or going to prison for a long long time then using a car or lorry is the ideal way to go about it, here in the U.K. if you get caught it only costs you £500 and you may even keep you licence.

:-(

I might be being naiive, or maybe I'm overstepping what this forum's about, but as a forum is there anything we can do about this?

I know that LBMA and others (including Moving Target) have done a lot of work to raise awareness both of cyclists on the road, as well as hazards to cyclists (the HGV blind spot stuff was fantastic), but can we act as a mini pressure group? Join up with others maybe?

We constantly moan about these things when they come up, but do we want to take responsibility for doing something about it?

yeah but petrol prices are through the roof!

(in response to Mr Smith)

Wheels of Justice is something similar to what you're on about in Oz.
http://www.woj.com.au/about/

what you think we could all agree on some thing? then you think we can do more then head to the pub? What forum are you on?

Yes and no...

Sorry, sorry - my mistake. I take it back. I feel so embarrassed now - please ignore that post...

I'll be hiding in the broom cupboard if anyone needs me.

I'm too new to really comment as to whether this forum should engage in some kind of activism. However, we are a forum and that is ostensibly a simple social gathering facilitated by the internet. In order to preserve that, I would reccomend against any formal activism being carried out in the name of LFGSS.

This doesn't stop you from engaging in your own work. You could easily support any number of pressure groups and charities (CTC, LCC, LBMA, Roadpeace, Living Streets etc). I would also advise considering the necessary work through MPs. MP's could, if they wished to, ignore pressure groups. They can't ignore the voice of their own constituents.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...

Sorry, I forgot that women still don't have the vote, negro's can still be taken as slaves and homosexuals have no right to civil union.

yay politics again.

Despite the views of the majority... :-(
By the way

I agree. I would not want my membership of this forum to count toward some political view e.t.c. If I want to do that I'll sign up and allow my views to be told to me by some birkenstock wearing activist group. This is a group of individuals not some movement.

Ooh, thanks, I'll take the one that acts as a mark of ommission. For an example, please see my above post or indeed my use of the word "I'll". Thanks, that was my last one back there.

Negroes

Yes, it's rather lazy of me but, in terms of the Acts that I implied, both versions of the word have been used (often in the same papers) and I used a mark of ommision in order to avoid one. Silly really.

racist

Fuck off, that was a quote...

quoteist

Hipsters are a-politcal. So this forum wont be doing anything about this.

So please everyone, ride safe!!!!!

Peace