Ped gets 3 years for manslaughter of cyclist hit by car…

That's a real bad idea. It should come with a health warning.

The incident would not have happened if the woman had set out an hour later. Obviously her fault.

It happened. The question is one of fault. The court appears to have an answer that stand up.

I disagree with imprisonment for such a crime. There are other forms of punishment that would be better for society in these circumstances, although that's not the argument here.

Yep. All of that.

I dont think the age and type of bike makes a huge difference, its down to the speed, weight and proximity of passing someone, its perfectly possible even as a 220 pound MAMIL on a nice Carbon bike to pass pedestrians on a shared use path without causing any agro.

Its a case of going slowly, no faster than walking pace, giving space and making sure people are aware of your presence, most pedestrians are fine and accommodating but you do get some deliberately awkward and gormless ones, usually with kids, dogs and headphones in. But the responsibility is on me if passing them from behind, and if from the front its both really but the onus is on me as I am on a bike, can go quickly and am fairly heavy, I really dont ever want to hurt anyone. I also make a point of saying good morning or similar, or just smiling.

I do think sometimes that the ones that come over like a Premiership footballer that has had another player come within 15 feet and is now clutching their leg, whether in a car they give cyclists space like they expect on foot ?

Some do get very aerated if you are on a bike because "rules", even if you are going at walking pace, so I make a point of walking my bike to avoid any such criticism, and it annoys the st out of me when someone goes charging through a pedestrianised area, weaving in and out as their skills dont usually match their hurry, teenage lads are the worst for this, cant say I have ever seen MAMILS charging through a town centre. Like F1 cars have a Pit Lane Limiter, we need to have a mental version of that, you dont want to hit anyone as you will look a right tt.

I think us cyclists should be on a charm offensive when out and about and it always dissapoints me when I see other cyclists doing stuff that is cited as why we are such a negative thing, running red lights, charging down the pavement, no lights at night, ignoring a queue of cars behind etc.

In this case, just think it was a woman with mental and physical health issues, possibly in pain, in a bad mood who lashed out at someone who was weaker, I really dont think if it had been a 6ft MAMIL Lump she would have gone down that route, but as it was a small, elderly woman she felt emboldened to do it.

We need to think, am I angry or objecting because someone has endangered me, or because I am am unhappy, entitled or punishing this person for previous issues with another person who was similar, i.e. on a bike, am I full of Daily Mail type rage ?

All she needed to do was to say "Please get onto the road", but she pushed her, or at least made like she was going to and the lady avoided it and fell under car. actions have consequences, just try and be nice, dont add to the boiling pot of ire out there.

She admitted there was contact with her hand and the woman.

Clearly the jury thought it was a push, I certainly do.

Yes, I do, but remembered there was a little bit of debate about it.

You don't need to forcibly push someone off a bike, just knock the handlebars/arm, physics does the rest. In any case, there was a very definite breaking of step towards where the cyclist was.

Rather more than purely technical… there was no base offence in the first place.

Sounds like she didn't admit to the contact after all. I'm sure there was a video or quote where she did, I guess not:

"there was no evidence which could make the jury sure that the appellant had made any physical contact with Mrs Ward. "

I do wonder whether the bicycle was the key bit, had it been someone jogging, would she have pushed them if they were a bit close ? Someone walking ?

I think its part of that anti cyclist thing thats frothing away, it wasnt like it was some 15 stone teen thundering past on a Sur-Ron, it was what, 8 stone of pensioner on a small bike, going slowly, she was in no danger. I dont relish people cycling towards me on the pavement but what I do it make a little room, same for joggers, dog walkers, mobility scooters, horse riders etc and we all tend to muddle along. I may say something if I believe someone was being inconsiderate but pushing them into the road ?

As an occasional cyclist I would probably not ride there myself, I am too big, too heavy and can mix it on the road quite happily, but an older lady, likely just using it to cut out a dangerous section of road, dont see the issue, think she is just an unhappy woman lashing out and it went way further than she intended, thought it was always a possibility.

You're right.

https://www.findlaw.com/injury/torts-and-personal-...

This makes no sense.