Former Top Gear presenter James May says restrictions do not need to be imposed on cyclists, because a majority are not fit enough to cause harm to pedestrians.
Mr May, a keen cyclist, was talking after a pedestrian was killed while walking her dog in the park after she was involved in a collision with a bicycle.
Earlier this month and inquest heard 81-year-old Hilda Griffiths died after being involved in a collision with cyclist Brian Fitzgerald in 2022.
Mr Fitzgerald is thought to have been cycling at 29mph through Regents Park, while completing timed laps using a Garmin device, reports The Telegraph.
Police said there was « insufficient evidence » to charge the cyclist and that driving laws only apply to « mechanically propelled » vehicles.
Speaking on Times Radio, Grand Tour presenter Mr May said: « I don’t think people should try to achieve personal bests through places like London.
“And I don’t think people should race around the park. I think that is disrespectful and irresponsible and can lead to accidents.
“The vast majority of people can’t achieve even 20mph on a bicycle. I ride a lot in London, and I’m not particularly fit and I’m getting quite old. But even so, my average speed is usually 10 to 12mph and I’m putting my back into it.”
The TV star also rejected calls for number plates to be added to bicycles as they cannot cause the same level of damage as motor vehicles.
During an inquest into retired nursery teacher Mrs Griffiths’ death, it was heard that Mr Fitzgerald had been cycling with a group of three other riders.
He spotted the walker a « split second » before the incident. This meant he was unable to avoid the collision.
A spokesman for Royal Parks told The Telegraph: « We are working closely with the police and other partners, notably the Crown Estate Paving Commission, to review if there are any additional measures we can put in place to encourage safe cycling in the park, as we have done in Richmond Park where we have introduced raised crossing points, improved signage and other road infrastructure. »
Under current laws, a cyclist can only be prosecuted for killing a pedestrian using archaic laws intended for horse-drawn carriages.
However, former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith wants to change the law. He tabled a series of amendments that would impose tougher penalties on cyclists as well as people using e-bikes, electric scooters and unicycles should they kill someone.
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