Cyclists who kill to face life sentences like dangerous drivers

CYCLISTS who kill people face life in prison, the Transport Secretary has announced.

Mark Harper has promised to change the law so that dangerous cyclists face the same punishments as dangerous drivers. The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is life in prison.

Mr Harper said: “Dangerous cyclists who kill or seriously injure others should face the same penalties as other road users. Today, I have agreed a way forward to ensure the Criminal Justice Bill contains powers to hold irresponsible cyclists to account, paving the way for even safer streets. 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.”

It comes after The Telegraph revealed that a speeding cyclist doing timed laps in Regent’s Park was involved in a fatal collision with an 81-year-old woman but he was not charged with any criminal offence. At present, dangerous cyclists can only be jailed for up to two years, under Victorian laws designed to deal with horses.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith had tabled an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill in an attempt to change the law so cyclists faced tougher sentences and Laura Farris, the victims minister, announced in the Commons yesterday that the Government would back Sir Iain’s amendment. In the next few weeks it will be redrafted and re-introduced in the House of Lords. Sir Iain’s amendment had called for a maximum sentence for dangerous cycling of 14 years, but a source at the Department of Transport said this would be increased to a life sentence “to reflect changes made by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022”, which increased penalties for motorists.

Speaking in the Commons to launch his amendment, Sir Iain said it would ensure that cyclists were held accountable for their actions, enhance road safety and provide justice for victims and their families. “It is very simply an amendment to try and bring what has for some reason been completely left out of the normal criminal codes and the Highway Code,” he said.

“Let me just make absolutely clear I’m completely pro and very keen for more cycling to take place; it’s very good for individuals and it’s very good for the environment.

“This is not anti-cycling. Quite the opposite: it’s about making sure this takes place in a safe and reasonable manner.”