The PARENTS of a cyclist killed by a lorry driver have said their daughter did not deserve to die in the manner that she did.

It comes after Paul Mowat, 69, was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for one year after pleading guilty to driving an HGV without due care and attention.

Emma Burke Newman, 22, died in hospital after being hit at Broomielaw on January 27, 2023. 

Glasgow Times: Rose and John, Emma’s mum and dad, want their daughter's death to be a catalyst for change and are urging everyone to do their best to protect cyclists.

In a joint statement released after sentencing today, they said: “Every individual riding a bicycle is someone’s child. Drivers, please ‘get behind’ bike boxes, give cyclists space, and watch out at every junction, where most traffic fatalities occur.

“For your sake as well. No one wants to live with the consequences of having killed or injured a cyclist.”

Emma, from France, came to Glasgow full of optimism and excitement, they revealed.

“She was warmly welcomed by the people here,” Rose and John added.

“She did not deserve to die or suffer in the manner that she did. Along with our overwhelming sadness is the senselessness of it all, knowing that the collision could, and should, have been prevented.

“We are very grateful for the support and sympathy we have received and hope the outpouring of love for our daughter will translate into greater care on the road for cyclists and other active travellers.”

Emma's fatal collision occurred at a junction with advanced stop lines (ASLs) - designated areas for cyclists at traffic-light controlled junctions.

ASLs are designed to provide cyclists with a safe space ahead of other traffic.

However, Mowat and a bus had encroached into the ASL, depriving Emma of the protection it should have afforded.

Jodi Gordon, partner at Cycle Law Scotland who is representing Emma’s family, said: “The desire for more prolific active travel along with campaigns to encourage more people to cycle in our cities and towns will ultimately flounder unless the roads are safer.

“This collision and this case were not just about one driver. The junction was a known blackspot for cyclists. Two drivers encroached on the advanced stop lines. It raises questions about the duty of care on the part of employers to train their drivers to ensure their skills are up-to-date and the vehicles fit for purpose.

“When sentences fail to provide a genuine deterrent, the legal system must consider what else it can do to change the road culture.

"Emma learned to cycle in Paris where, as in most European cities, a non-combative system of liability for compensation purposes actively reinforces the hierarchy on the roads and helps protect vulnerable users.

"Active travel is promoted for its benefits to well-being as well as addressing the climate emergency, but if it is to be embraced fully, policymakers need to approach the challenge through the lens of road safety."