Insurers phlegmatic on cyclist protection

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) sees little cause for alarm in the proposed European moves to place automatic responsibility onto motorists for harm suffered by cyclists or pedestrians, even if they are at fault. ‘Cyclists are already pretty well protected in the courts,’ commented an ABI spokesperson, expecting little impact on premiums. Where there has been gross carelessness on the part of the injured party courts have always been prepared to take account of contributory negligence in percentage reductions of compensation.