MPs back new law to jail dangerous cyclists for up to 14 years

Cyclists who ride dangerously and cause deaths could soon face up to 14 years in prison, following support from the House of Commons for new legislation. MPs voted to introduce three new offences: “causing death by dangerous cycling”, “causing serious injury by dangerous cycling” and “causing death by careless or inconsiderate cycling”.

The proposal, led by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, has received government support and is to be incorporated into the Criminal Justice Bill as it moves through Parliament.

The former Tory leader emphasized the urgency of the law, saying: “This is not, as is often accused by naysayers, anti-cycling. Rather, it is to ensure that this is done in a safe and reasonable manner. manner.”

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Sir Iain highlighted the case of Matthew Briggs, whose wife Kim died tragically aged 44 after being hit by a cyclist on Old Street, east London. The cyclist, who was using a fixed-wheel bicycle without a front brake, was jailed for 18 months after being convicted at the Old Bailey of the archaic charge of “eager or furious driving” under the Offenses Against the Person Act 1861.

Sir Iain noted: “(Mr Briggs)’s attempt to prosecute a cyclist after his wife was killed in central London in 2016 involved such a complicated and difficult legal process that even the judge who said afterwards, since she’s retired, that she made a mockery and therefore had to be addressed, that the laws don’t cover what happened to his wife and it’s happening to a lot of other people.”

He added: “I believe the amendment will achieve equal accountability, just as motorists are held accountable for dangerous driving that leads to death, I believe cyclists should face similar consequences for reckless behavior that leads to deaths.”, reports Birmingham Live.

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In response to the approval of the amendment, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Most cyclists, like most drivers, are responsible and caring. But it is right that the small minority who recklessly disregard others face the full weight of the law for doing so.”

He continued: “Like car drivers who break the law, we support this legislation which introduces new offenses around dangerous cycling. These new measures will help protect cyclists, pedestrians and other law-abiding road users, while ensuring justice.”

Dangerous cycling is already outlined in the Road Traffic Act, which describes it as riding in a manner that “fell far below what would be expected of a competent and careful cyclist” and where “it would be obvious to a cyclist competent and careful that riding a bicycle. in this way it would be dangerous”.

The proposed legislation would require bicyclists to ensure their vehicle is “legally equipped and maintained,” which includes keeping brakes in working order. The law would apply to incidents involving pedal bikes, electric bikes, electric scooters and electric unicycles.

Existing laws make it an offense to cause death or serious injury by dangerous, careless or reckless driving. However, these rules only apply when the vehicles involved are “mechanically propelled”.