France has had the guts to crack down on SUV drivers. Why doesn't Britain? | Laura Laker

These hulking vehicles are lethal to pedestrians, disastrous for the environment and have no place on our city streets

Walking on a busy London street recently, I heard a shout. Don't hit me," a cyclist screamed, as a Land Rover driver reversed into his path. Next, it was my turn to jump out of the way. The driver lurched forward, veering unexpectedly in my direction just as I was crossing a sidestreet.

A moment later, another panicked voice behind me; a little girl scooting in front of her mother overshot the pavement ever so slightly, and came just inches from the driver's path. Behind the steering wheel the driver appeared impassive, apparently unaware of the consternation in her wake.

Laura Laker is a journalist who writes about cycling and urban transport