Laws to prevent 'dangerous cycling' promised at election closer to being introduced, says Government
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
The Government is preparing to introduce new offences for cyclists who cause death or serious injury through dangerous or careless riding, with penalties brought in line with those faced by drivers.
Causing death by dangerous cycling will carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, while other offences including causing serious injury by dangerous cycling and causing death by careless cycling carry a sentence of up to five years, with the offence of causing serious injury by careless cycling carrying up to two years.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are making our streets safer for pedestrians, by introducing new cycling offences to tackle those rare instances where victims have been killed or seriously injured by irresponsible cyclist behaviour.”
The department stressed that the new rules will not criminalise fresh behaviours, but will ensure that people who cause serious harm “are subject to penalties which are equivalent to those already in place if the same level of harm is caused by drivers of other vehicles”.
The Government has not set a date for the legislation to come before Parliament, though the Home Office confirmed it is preparing the framework under the wider Crime and Policing Bill. The plans revive Conservative proposals abandoned before last year’s snap election as Labour now look to push ahead 15 months after its election win, with cross-party backing meaning the measures are unlikely to face significant opposition in Parliament.
The Home Office has confirmed there are no plans to impose speed limits on cyclists, saying existing offences already cover dangerous behaviour.
Currently, cyclists face fines of up to £2,500 for dangerous riding or two years in prison under the 19th-century “wanton and furious driving” law, but officials say these punishments are inadequate when fatal or serious injuries occur.
In 2023, four pedestrians were killed and 185 seriously injured in collisions with cyclists. Over the past decade, an average of three pedestrians a year have been killed by cyclists, compared with 283 annually in collisions with drivers.
The Home Office added: “No pedestrian should feel unsafe. These new offences ensure that dangerous and careless behaviour by cyclists is treated as seriously as the same conduct by drivers.”