Cyclists ‘must be penalised like drivers’

 Cyclists who endanger pedestrians should be subject to the same laws as motorists, a study has proposed.

Ministers are considering changing the law to create an equivalent cycling offence to causing death or serious injury by dangerous or careless driving. An independent legal expert concluded that there is a “persuasive case” to “bring cycling into line with driving offences”. The review was launched in September last year after a cyclist killed a mother-of-two.

It noted that in Ireland, The Netherlands and Germany “their normal driving laws apply equally to cyclists” and suggested the existing Road Traffic Act could be amended.

The Department for Transport said it would now consider the findings.