New road safety laws for cyclists criticised by campaigners
Cyclists who kill pedestrians could face charges of causing death by dangerous or careless cycling, but cycling campaigners have described the planned changes as "tinkering around the edges" of road safety.
Under new laws being proposed by the government, cyclists who kill pedestrians would be treated in a similar way to dangerous drivers.
The planned legislation comes after 44-year-old mother-of-two Kim Briggs was knocked over and killed by a bicycle courier in February 2016.
But Cycling UK, a national charity, claimed a “full review of road traffic offences” would be more appropriate.
Ms Briggs was killed by Charlie Alliston, then 18, who was travelling at 18mph on a fixed-wheel track bike with no front brakes.
He was sentenced to 18 months in jail after being found guilty of causing bodily harm by “wanton and furious driving” - a piece of Victorian legislation, originally drafted to deal with the reckless handling of horses.
The offence was used because there was no cycling equivalent to the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
Ms Briggs’ widower Matthew supports the proposed new laws.
He said: “This public consultation is an important step towards updating the arcane laws that are currently being used to prosecute cycling offences.”
Department for Transport (DfT) figures for 2016 show that 448 pedestrians were killed on Britain’s roads, but only three cases involved bicycles.
Cycling UK head of campaigns Duncan Dollimore described the current system of prosecuting and sentencing for careless or dangerous drivers as “something of a lottery” which leaves victims and their relatives “feeling massively let down”.
He went on: “Adding one or two new offences specific to cyclists would be merely tinkering around the edges.
“If the Government is serious about addressing behaviour that puts others at risk on our roads, they should grasp the opportunity to do the job properly, rather than attempt to patch up an area of legislation that’s simply not working.”
In recent weeks the DfT has announced a series of measures to protect vulnerable roads users, including:
Funding to give driving instructors training to ensure cyclists’ safety is prioritised
Better investigation of crashes
Investing £100 million to improve dangerous roads
The latest announcement includes the introduction of national guidance for cycling and walking infrastructure and updating parts of the Highway Code to combat close passing of bicycles.
Cycling and Walking Minister Jesse Norman said: “All these measures are designed to support the continued growth of cycling and walking, with all the benefits they bring to our communities, economy, environment and society.”