Cyclists’ Defence Fund

Cycling UK Close Pass VR film (7).jpg
Donate for tomorrow's justice
Our Cyclists’ Defence Fund is there to support significant legal cases involving cyclists and cycling, especially those which could set important precedents for the future and could affect the safety of all cyclists
MerseyRail SQUARE - 2

The Cyclists’ Defence Fund (CDF) was initially established in response to the case of Darren Coombes, a nine-year-old cyclist who suffered brain damage from a collision with a motorist.  Cycling UK (then known as the Cyclists’ Touring Club or CTC) became concerned after the driver’s insurers responded to Darren’s claim for damages by seeking to reduce Darren’s compensation, claiming contributory negligence because Darren was not wearing a helmet.  Although the insurer’s claim was ultimately defeated, CDF was formed in the aftermath to defend cyclists in similar precedent-setting cases.

We welcomes local groups to get in touch regarding cases in their area that warrant legal backing and where decisions may end up having national significance. 

The work of the CDF is only possible through donations from supporters.

Current case: challenging the Merseyrail electric-bike ban

In July, Merseyrail announced it will ban e-bikes – with the exception of folding e-bikes – on its entire network, including from safe cycle storage at stations. We believe this will have a devastating effect on e-bike users, particularly older and disabled people. It will limit people’s ability to stay active, get to work, visit friends and family and spend time outdoors.

We asked Merseyrail to meet with us to discuss the announcement; they refused. So we made a formal complaint. Support from the Cyclists’ Defence Fund means we can challenge this ban.

Read the full story

A significant win for the Cyclists’ Defence Fund

Following action from Cycling UK, West Midlands Police has apologised after a legally compliant e-bike was wrongly seized and destroyed. The force has acknowledged that the roadside test used was not accurate, confirmed that this testing process will stop immediately, cancelled the rider’s traffic ticket and said it will progress compensation for the destroyed bike.

This matters far beyond one bike or one rider.

West Midlands Police has made clear that there was no malice and that officers believed they were acting lawfully. But the outcome shows why clear testing processes, proper training and accurate guidance are so important.

It also shows exactly why the Cyclists’ Defence Fund exists.

Because of CDF, Cycling UK was able to step in quickly, support the rider and Birmingham Bike Foundry, raise concerns with the police and help secure a fair outcome.

This work is only possible because people support the Cyclists’ Defence Fund.

Please donate today and help keep CDF ready for the next case.

Support the Cyclists’ Defence Fund


The Cyclists’ Defence Fund is appealing for donations

Some of the cases in which the CDF has been involved

  • We challenged the City of London’s decision not to introduce a 20mph speed limit, arguing that the City’s decision was based on incorrect information; the City backed down before the case went to trial.
  • We backed Daniel Cadden through his trial for ‘inconsiderate cycling’ and supported the successful appeal of his conviction for the offence. Cadden was prosecuted for holding up traffic after he chose to cycle in the road rather than cross a 50mph road twice to reach an off-carriageway cycle track.
  • We helped prepare a legal challenge to the Department for Transport’s proposed revisions to the Highway Code, which had the potential to leave cyclists open to both civil and criminal prosecutions if they did not use cycle facilities for any reason. The threat of legal action persuaded ministers to clarify in the wording that the use of cycle facilities is not compulsory.
  • We brought a private prosecution following the death of Michael Mason. The judge accepted that there was a case to answer, and therefore that we were right to bring the case. Even though the driver was subsequently acquitted, bringing the case highlighted and brought attention to various failures in the way the criminal justice system sometimes deals with cases involving cyclists.
  • We challenged West Sussex County Council’s decision to remove a popular cycle lane in the seaside town of Shoreham in November 2020. The council accepted that it acted unlawfully following a judicial review supported by the CDF and was ordered to pay £25k in costs to Cycling UK.
  • We contributed £2,500 to support Better Streets for Kensington and Chelsea’s legal challenge against the borough council in July 2022, following the removal of the Kensington High Street cycle lane. The case is set to go to trial.
  • We supported Tom Bosanquet, one of our members, with financial support and advice for his legal case when he was being wrongly prosecuted for inconsiderate cycling for delaying traffic for a matter of seconds. The CPS saw sense in dropping the case.
  • The announcement of the a new National Trail that excluded cycling and horse riding has become our latest challenge with a Pre-Action Protocol letter submitted jointly with British Horse Society, which set out the legal grounds and demonstrated all the ways in which the decision was unlawful. Another win as they have now committed to consult with both charities.
  • BCP Council concedes judicial review brought by Cycling UK, challenging decision to keep Keyhole Bridge permanently open to motor vehicles.
Donate to the CDF

Latest news and information

View all

Legal resources and advice

The CDF can also provide legal resources and advice to cyclists, although please speak to a lawyer if you are facing or bringing a legal claim. All Cycling UK members receive free initial legal advice related to cycling personal injury claims through our incident line.

Contact us

If you are involved in, or aware of, a legal case relating to cycling, whether civil or criminal, which you believe potentially poses a significant risk of injustice or may set a dangerous legal precedent, please contact us.

While we cannot guarantee to support cases, we will always review cases to assess whether any support is possible and whether we believe our help could help improve the safety of all cyclists or enable more people to cycle.

Road safety campaigning
Cyclists' Defence Fund