“The government now needs to listen to vulnerable road user groups”

A recommendation by the Justice Select Committee to exclude vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, from reforms to personal injury claims has been hailed as a victory by the national cycling charity, Cycling UK.

Under the Government proposals, road users would be subject to stricter limits on minor injury claims. This means that victims would be unable to reclaim the cost of legal representation, and all claims with an injury valued at less than £5,000 would have to go through a small claims court.

But Cycling UK, as part of a coalition of groups representing vulnerable road users, argued that cyclists would be put at a disadvantage by limiting their ability to secure compensation.

The charity submitted evidence to the Justice Select Committee pointing out that cyclists’ claims often involve substantial injuries, such as fractured collarbones, broken wrists or fractured ribs.

They are also more likely to be the victims of a crash, making their claims more complex and thus more likely to be contested.

Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said: “We are delighted, but not surprised, that the Justice Select Committee has accepted the evidence submitted by Cycling UK, and agreed that vulnerable road users should be excluded from the proposed increases in the small claims limit.

“Last week, Peers in the House of Lords also voiced their concerns regarding the government’s proposals, which Cycling UK have been campaigning against through our Road Victims are Real Victims campaign for two years.

“The government now needs to listen to vulnerable road user groups, the House of Lords and the Justice Select Committees, and think again about plans which have no policy justification, fly in the face of the evidence, and would disproportionately affect the most vulnerable people on our roads."