Thursday 18 September 2008

Double riding





















Elle MacPherson has been criticised by health and safety officials for letting her son sit on the handlebars of her bicycle as she rode him home from school.

Jo Stagg, from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "It is both illegal and dangerous. A child on the front handlebars could affect the cyclist's ability to see, steer and balance, and we would not advise parents to carry children in this way - ever." So-called "double riding" can be punished by a fine of up to £2,500 in exceptionally dangerous cases.

Whereas a driver killing a cyclist can result in a fine of just £300 or £500 (payable in instalments), killing two people earns a fine of £700 and killing four people merits a fine of £1,000.