A new offense for dangerous, careless or imprudent cyclists causing death or serious bodily injury will be introduced.
The law will be amended after an agreement was reached between the government and former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, whose amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill were backed by 37 fellow Conservative backbenchers. was.
Duncan Smith told MPs on Wednesday that the move to criminalize fatal bike accidents was “urgent” and not “anti-cycling”, referring to the 2016 death of Kim Briggs.
She died in hospital a week after Charlie Alliston crashed in east London on a fixed-gear bike that was illegally not equipped with a front brake.
Alliston was found guilty of causing bodily harm by “reckless driving”, a crime under a 19th-century law, but was acquitted of the more serious charge of manslaughter.
Duncan Smith was watched on from the Commons public gallery by Ms Kim’s husband Matthew Briggs, who has campaigned for law changes and accused the government of being afraid of an “extremist cycling lobby”.
Mr Justice Duncan Smith said the legal process involved in Matthew Briggs’ attempt to prosecute the cyclist was so complex that the presiding judge later called it a “ridicule” and said: “The law does not apply to his wife. “It doesn’t cover what happened, it doesn’t cover what’s happening now.” There are many other people too. ”
He added: “This is not anti-cycling, as those who say anything about this often charge. Quite the contrary, it is important to ensure this is done in a safe and reasonable manner. .”
The government has announced that it has agreed to introduce a new law that would impose the same penalties on motorists and motorcyclists for those who cause death or serious injury through dangerous or careless cycling.
The Department for Transport will table the latest amendments when the bill goes to the House of Lords, where it will be further debated.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Most cyclists, like most motorists, are responsible and considerate. However, there are a small number of people who show reckless disregard for others who will be held accountable for their actions. It is only natural that they face the full weight of the law.
“Like motorists who flout the law, we support this bill which introduces new offenses related to dangerous bicycles. These new measures will ensure justice is done and at the same time It helps protect cyclists, pedestrians and other road users.”
Although Labor was non-committal about the bill and said it needed to know more about the details of the provisions and its potential impact, Jack Cunningham, the shadow minister for courts and sentencing, told MPs: He said Labor intended to legislate in this area. It gave me strength.
Cycling groups and some other organizations reacted cautiously.
Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns, said: “It is clear that we need to work to make our streets safer for everyone, but tinkering at the fringe of reform will add new offenses to existing road traffic laws that are already in place. It’s not working.
“What we need is what the government promised ten years ago: a thorough review of road traffic laws and penalties. Improving road traffic laws will ensure roads are safe for all communities. It is time for the government to respond to our consistent calls for an overhaul.”
Road safety charity Brake has put pressure on the government to honor other road safety promises.
Lucy Straker, Brake’s campaign manager, said: “If the Government is keen to support Duncan Smith’s legislative review mentioned above, it will probably be keen to deliver on its promise to publish a new road safety strategy, which is due in 2021. We are still waiting for it in 2024.
“This includes ways to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads (regardless of the mode of transport they choose) and to help people find healthy and safe ways to travel. included.”
