Cyclists who kill pedestrians could face life in prison under major law change

Cyclists who kill pedestrians could face life behind bars under a proposed change to the law.

Ministers have tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to bring cycling offences in line with motoring laws. Currently, cycling offenders can be sent to prison for no more than two years under legislation from 1861, designed for riders of horse-drawn carriages.

The move, led by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, will mean that those who cause death by dangerous cycling could face life imprisonment. Causing death by careless or inconsiderate cycling could incur a sentence of up to five years, a fine or both.

Riders convicted of causing death or serious injury by careless or inconsiderate cycling could face up to five and two years in prison respectively.

It follows campaigning by Matt Briggs, whose wife, Kim, died from head injuries after a collision with a cyclist in 2016.

Mr Briggs told the Telegraph: “After losing Kim in 2016, I began campaigning the following year to have these laws enacted. The use of the wanton and furious charge for so many cases has been inadequate and archaic.

“I’m absolutely delighted that this government has followed through with our calls for new legislation. This isn’t just a victory for me and my family, it’s also a victory for all the families who have worked tirelessly through their unbearable tragedies to have these laws changed.”

A Government source said changing the law "at the first opportunity" was personal" to the Transport Secretary - as she was Mr Briggs' local MP in Lewisham, south London, at the time of his wife's death.

The source added: "While this is an important victory for those families, 1,600 people were killed on our roads last year and just 4 caused by cyclists. We need to address that too and will be bringing forward a road safety strategy before the end of the year."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Dangerous cycling is completely unacceptable, and the safety of our roads is a key priority for this Government.

“The Government is proposing new offences and penalties for dangerous cycling, updating legislation that is over 160 years old, to ensure that the tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face the full force of the law. These are being brought forward as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, and will be debated in due course.”

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