A Highland cycling star has given his backing to a campaign to protect vulnerable road users involved in crashes.
The Road Share campaign for presumed liability aims to change Scottish Civil Law.
Craig MacLean, originally from Grantown, is the only British cyclist and only the second ever, to have won medals at both Olympic and Paralympic games.
The Olympic silver and Paralympic gold medalist is lending his voice to the increasing call for presumed liability laws to be discussed in a Members Bill at the Scottish Parliament.
If implemented, a presumed liability regime would create a situation where motor vehicle drivers would be presumed liable for any loss, injury and damage caused to a cyclist involved in a collision.
Also a cyclist would be presumed liable for loss, injury and damage caused to a pedestrian in any collision with a cycle thus ensuring the vulnerable are afforded more protection in civil law.
The presumption of liability would still allow a driver or cyclist to allege fault or part-fault on the part of the injured cyclist or pedestrian.
Mr MacLean, who was awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to cycling, is now joining the likes of Scottish Cycling, Pedal on Parliament, SPOKES, CTC Scotland, the driving schools RED and Pro-Scot, Nick Nairn, the Bike Station, the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative, Cameron McNeish, Scott and Jenny Hastings, Lesley Riddoch and para-cyclist Karen Darke to support the work of the Road Share campaign.
He said: “I fully support Road Share’s call for presumed liability as I believe any measure or campaign that raises the awareness of cyclist safety on our roads is a positive step forwards in improving the culture amongst all road users.
“As an experienced cyclist, riding both competitively and on Scotland’s roads, I have witnessed a noticeable change in the way drivers treat cyclists over the years.
“I agree with Road Share’s ethos of creating a mutual responsibility between all road users as it’s key that both cyclists and drivers behave courteously towards one another if we are to have any chance of establishing a regime of safety and protection for all.”