Cyclists could face life in prison for killing pedestrians in traffic

Cyclists are often treated as one of the most vulnerable groups in traffic, but this, unfortunately, does not mean that they cannot endanger others.

Cyclists who kill pedestrians due to dangerous driving could face life in prison in England and Wales, under new changes to the Crime and Policing Act.

Of course, this would be the maximum measure, but it also opens up the possibility that penalties for cyclists could be stricter.

The offence of causing casualties due to dangerous cycling will be regulated under driving laws, under amendments introduced on Thursday, the Ministry of Transport announced. Dangerous or reckless cycling has so far been punishable by a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison.

MPs have welcomed the new law. Matt Briggs, who lost his wife Kim (44) to a cyclist nine years ago, told the Telegraph that "after losing Kim in 2016, I started a campaign the following year to get these laws passed. I am delighted that the Labour government has taken on board our demands to get the new legislation passed."

The amendments have been criticised by some cyclists. Chris Boardman, a former Olympic cyclist and national commissioner for active travel in England, said the new laws could stop people from using their bikes. So, reckless driving is now a problem in the UK. /Telegraph/