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New laws to be introduced to prosecute dangerous cyclists
By Newsroom
News  |  Wed - May 15, 2024 11:53 pm  |  Article Hits:1333  |  A+ | a-
WHAT are your thoughts on this? The UK Government has agreed to introduce new laws so cyclists who kill or seriously injure because of dangerous cycling, or who kill through careless cycling, face the same penalties as drivers and motorcyclists who do so.

Ministers have backed an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, put forward by Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, to introduce the:- "Offence of causing death by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling, and causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate cycling."

The Government will bring forward an updated amendment to the Bill as it enters the House of Lords where it will be further debated.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:- "Most cyclists, like most drivers, are responsible and considerate. But it’s only right that the tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face the full weight of the law for doing so. Just like car drivers who flout the law, we are backing this legislation introducing new offences around dangerous cycling. These new measures will help protect law-abiding cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users, whilst ensuring justice is done. I would like to thank Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP for bringing forward this amendment, and to all the campaigners who have tirelessly highlighted this issue; this is in recognition of their efforts in particular."
COMMENTS (8)
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Jon Crowder-Barton
#8
Thu, 16 May 2024 7:02 pm
About time too!
Andy Simpson
#7
Thu, 16 May 2024 7:00 pm
Yes, I did say "It's rare, for them to kill someone else, although sadly, it DOES happen. They're more likely to kill themselves, by hitting a vehicle.". But that doesn't alter the fact, that if they knew there were such serious consequences for themselves, if they kill a pedestrian. They won't feel so untouchable. So that small minority (for that's all they are), will be less likely to take excessive risks in the first place.

It's not like it will matter to the vast majority of cyclists. They ride safely anyway, so it'll never affect them.
Eddy Green
#6
Thu, 16 May 2024 6:57 pm
I agree, we are all Road users.
Therefore should be treated equally .
Andy Simpson
#5
Thu, 16 May 2024 6:55 pm
I have to point out that this is specifically a new offence, for those who actually kill someone in an accident. Just like the one for drivers.

There's already a law to deal with cyclists riding too fast, although it's very rarely enforced. It's called "riding furiously", and has nothing to do with speed limits. It's for those who ride at dangerous speeds. I don't know whether the national speed limit in the Isle of Man has changed in recent years or not. But the last time I looked into it. There were many, completely unrestricted roads there (just like the unrestricted sections of the Autobahns in Germany). So they have an offence of "driving furiously" for those who drive dangerously fast on those roads. It's exactly the same offence, just for different types of vehicle.

I know, that most cyclists ride safely, despite the stereotype. If anyone with a dashcam, takes the time to look back at their footage. They'll find that most of the cyclists they encounter, don't take excessive risks. Why would they?

They're one of the most vulnerable road users. But we all know, that there's a minority, who think that they can ride dangerously, and they feel untouchable. Because there's little, the Police can do about it. This new offence, should provide the deterrent needed. Not just to protect pedestrians, but to protect the cyclists too. Because they'll hopefully, stop taking excessive risks.
martin price
#4
Thu, 16 May 2024 6:54 pm
It will make very little difference! The problem has been overblown! One death while one to many is nothing compared to other road use! It's just flavour of the month in an election run up! It will be a waste of police time for starter's cyclists who go to fast hurt themself's more than anyone else! Fix the road's and steet lighting and street crossing's before trying any punitive measure's that will be too difficult to enforce in the first place If they think that they are moving to cycle number plate's to get money into the coffer's that would be an even bigger joke and so indicative of a desperate goverment trying anything to take the emphasis of their own apauling failure's! Are you going to have numberplate's on every kid's bike that are capable of going onto a road? Some household's have several how can you work that out? It's just that fear of crime mentality yet again! Spend time fixing the real problem's!
Corriene T
#3
Thu, 16 May 2024 6:53 pm
Great. I had 2 screaming at me at lights, I was driving through a yellow junction box @ five lamps on Liverpool road near south rd but had to stop due to traffic turning right , I went to go upon clear and they cut in front of me and then blamed me, one of them was very verbally abusive.. it shook me . So about time they need to have a road license/ tax as well
Andy Simpson
#2
Thu, 16 May 2024 6:50 pm
I think that it's an excellent idea, and long overdue! I've nothing against cyclists, I used to be one myself until the roads became too dangerous. But we've all seen examples of the small minority, who take ridiculous risks. Hopefully, having a serious deterrent will make them ride more safely. Not just for the sake of any potential victims. But for their own safety too.

That small minority, think they're untouchable. Because bikes don't have number plates, and there are major restrictions, making it unlikely that the Police will chase them. It's rare, for them to kill someone else, although sadly, it DOES happen. They're more likely to kill themselves, by hitting a vehicle. But if they know that they could potentially be jailed for 14 years if they kill someone in an accident. Then hopefully, they'll stop riding so dangerously.
Eddy Green
#1
Thu, 16 May 2024 4:12 pm
Yes I agree , we are all Road users.
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