New dangerous cycling laws 'tinkering around edges' of full review

According to reports in the Mail on Sunday (March 4, 2018), a review by the Department for Transport will announce later this week a new offence of causing death by dangerous cycling.

But Cycling UK has reiterated its position that a full review of road traffic offences and penalties is needed rather than a focus solely on new cycle specific laws.

Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s Head of Campaigns, said: “The way in which the justice system deals with mistakes, carelessness, recklessness and deliberately dangerous behaviour by all road users hasn’t been fit for purpose for years.

Adding one or two new offences specific to cyclists would just be tinkering around the edges, when what’s needed is a full review of all road traffic offences and penalties, something the Government promised back in 2014 but have yet to deliver.

Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK's Head of Campaigns

“Adding one or two new offences specific to cyclists would just be tinkering around the edges, when what’s needed is a full review of all road traffic offences and penalties, something the Government promised back in 2014 but have yet to deliver.

“If they’re serious about addressing behaviour on our roads that puts others at risk they should grasp the opportunity to do the job properly, and conduct the holistic review that’s long overdue, rather than attempt to patch up an area of legislation that’s simply not working."

The Government review of cycling offences followed the case of cyclist Charlie Alliston, who was jailed for 18 months in September for knocking over and killing 44-year-old Kim Briggs as he cycled through east London on a bike with no front brakes.

Alliston, 20, was cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of causing bodily harm by "wanton and furious driving", a crime under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act which carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail.