Dangerous cycling that causes death could land people up to 14 years in prison after the House of Commons backed a proposed change to the law.
On Wednesday night, MPs voted in favor of an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill that would create three new crimes: causing death by dangerous cycling; causing serious injury by dangerous cycling and causing death by careless or reckless cycling.
The amendment, introduced by former minister and Conservative party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, was supported by the government and will now form part of the bill.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir Ian described the new law as “urgent” and added: “This is not, as is often accused by people who say anything about it, anti-cycling.
“Rather, it is about ensuring that this occurs in a safe and reasonable manner.”
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During his speech, Sir Ian made reference to Matthew Briggs, whose wife Kim died aged 44 after a cyclist collided with her in Old Street, east London.
The bike had no front brake and the 44-year-old suffered “catastrophic” head injuries – dying in hospital a week after the accident in February 2016.
The cyclist, Charlie Alliston, was imprisoned for 18 months after he was found guilty at the Old Bailey of “wild or furious driving”, but was cleared of manslaughter.
Sir Iain said: “(Mr Briggs’) attempt to prosecute a cyclist after his wife was killed in central London in 2016 involved a legal process that was so complicated and difficult that even the presiding judge later said, since she retired, that it was mocked and therefore needed to be addressed – that the laws don’t cover what happened to his wife and is happening to many other people.”
He added: “I believe the amendment will achieve the same accountability, just as drivers are held accountable for dangerous driving that results in death, I think cyclists should face similar consequences for reckless behavior that leads to death.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper, responding to the amendment’s approval, said in a statement: “Most cyclists, like most drivers, are responsible and considerate. But it is only fair that the small minority who recklessly disregard others face the full weight of the law for doing so.”
Dangerous cycling is already covered by the Road Traffic Act, which includes riding in a way that “falls well below what would be expected of a competent and careful cyclist” and that “it would be obvious to a competent and careful cyclist that riding in that way would be dangerous”.
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The proposed law would require cyclists to make sure their vehicle “is legally equipped and maintained,” including keeping the brakes in good working order.
It would apply to incidents involving pedal bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters and electric unicycles.
Current laws state that causing death or serious injury by dangerous, careless or reckless driving are already offences, but the vehicle involved must be “mechanically propelled”.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
