Paris, Oct 19, (dpa/GNA) – Following the death of a cyclist in Paris, who allegedly was deliberately run over by an SUV driver, the French Cycling Federation has called for nationwide protests on Saturday.
A minute’s silence is to take place in front of all town halls at 5:45 pm (1545 GMT), according to the federation’s call to action issued on Friday.
“We can no longer tolerate this trivialization of violence on the roads. Like all other road users, cyclists and pedestrians who choose sustainable and environmentally friendly modes of transport, have a fundamental right to safety,” declared the federation.
In Paris, demonstrators are expected to gather at Place de la République from 5 pm.
After the fatal incident in central Paris on Tuesday evening, an investigation has been initiated into the 52-year-old SUV driver, on suspicion of murder, the prosecutor’s office stated. He has been placed in pre-trial detention, it said.
Based on witness statements and camera footage, investigators believe that the man deliberately ran over the 27-year-old cyclist following a dispute.
To move through traffic more quickly, the SUV driver had apparently already driven 200 metres along a cycle lane, when he rolled over the cyclist’s foot. When the cyclist struck the vehicle’s bonnet, the driver initially reversed but then directed the vehicle towards the cyclist.
The driver’s lawyer told the broadcaster BFMTV that the man had not intended to kill the cyclist. During the course of the traffic dispute, he might have lost control of his vehicle, he said.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who has been promoting the expansion of cycle lanes in the capital for years, along with other politicians, reacted with shock to the fatal incident.
The victim was a member of an association, advocating for the expansion of cycling infrastructure in Paris.
GNA