The government is considering introducing a new offence of causing death by dangerous cycling, after an MP proposed the move in a private members bill earlier this year. The bill, proposed by Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom would bring the punishment for cyclists who kill pedestrians in line with the penalties for motorists who cause fatal accidents.
According to figures from the Department for Transport, between 2005 and 2009 a total of 262 pedestrians were seriously injured by cyclists and a further 10 people lost their lives after being hit by a bicycle. In proposing her bill to the House of Commons, Ms Leadsom used an example of a 17-year girl who had been knocked down and killed by a cyclist in April 2007.
In that accident, the girl and her friends had been walking in their home town of Buckingham when a cyclist approached them at high speed. After apparently shouting “Move! I’m not stopping!” the cyclist hit the girl, knocking her over and smashing her head against the kerb. She later died of her injuries in hospital. Comparing the punishments for dangerous cycling with those for dangerous driving, Ms Leadsom said that after conviction, the cyclist had received a fine of £2,200 whereas the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving was 14-years imprisonment.
Generally private members bills, which are proposed by individual Members of Parliament rather than the main political parties, have little chance of becoming law. However according to the BBC website the Department for Transport is apparently considering backing the bill. It is understood that the Department for Transport will be discussing the bill with the Ministry of Justice before deciding whether or not to support it.
Are you a safe cyclist? What do you think about the bill?
Here at My Cycling Claim we like to keep up to date with all the legal developments that might affect cyclists. With the potential for a law that would mean cyclists face the same penalties for dangerous cycling as motorists do for dangerous driving, we’d like to hear what you think. Do you think a potential 14-year jail term is an effective deterrent for cyclists who kill and will it help to the activities of the small number of cyclists whose behaviour poses risks to pedestrians and other road users? Leave your comments below and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.