Today cyclist member organisation Cycling UK has announced a legal win as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has dropped a case against cyclist Tom Bosanquet.
Mr Bosanquet, a cyclist from Bristol, was prosecuted for inconsiderate cycling, which is generally classified as a person cycling on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users.
The cyclist was accused of allegedly delaying a driver for several seconds, which occurred when he challenged another motorist for using his mobile phone while stopped at traffic lights, this being a criminal offence.
The case was due for trial in North Somerset Magistrates Court on 7 October, but has been dropped following a review by the CPS.
The incident, which took place 4 March 2021, was caught on camera by Mr Bosanquet.
While informing the driver that this was an offence, a van driver behind him honked his horn. Despite Mr Bosanquet setting off again after several seconds, the van passed him, driving through a red light and without leaving the legally required 1.5m (4.9ft) space.
Sarah Mitchell, chief executive of Cycling UK, said: “It’s somewhat ironic that Mr Bosanquet was prosecuted in the incident when he was using a helmet camera to catch footage with the intention of supporting the police collect evidence of bad behaviour on our roads.
“This is something that police forces across the country have expressed they welcome from the public, and any negligible delay to traffic was caused in part by this.
“Cycling UK believes the police should never have referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, so we’re pleased it’s now been dropped.
“Going to court would undoubtedly have been a waste of resources.”
Funded entirely through donations, Cycling UK’s Cyclists’ Defence Fund covered Mr Bosanquet’s legal fees.
