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New Legislation Introduced to Address Dangerous Cycling in England and Wales
Cyclists in England and Wales who are found guilty of causing fatalities through dangerous cycling could soon face life sentences, according to recent amendments proposed in the crime and policing bill. This initiative aims to align the legal repercussions of harmful cycling behaviors with those of dangerous driving.
The changes were officially announced on Thursday by the Department for Transport, highlighting a significant shift from the current maximum penalty of two years in prison for reckless cycling. This move marks a revival of proposed reforms that had previously stalled due to the recent general election.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has identified a critical gap in existing legislation, which stemmed from laws established in the 1860s, emphasizing the need for modernized regulations to address reckless cycling.
Support for the new legislation comes from advocacy groups and individuals affected by tragic incidents involving cyclists. Matt Briggs, whose wife Kim died in 2016 after a cyclist collided with her, has been a vocal advocate for revising these laws. In a statement to the Telegraph, he expressed his relief and gratitude, saying, “After losing Kim, I began campaigning the following year to have these laws enacted. The use of the ‘wanton and furious’ charge for so many cases has been inadequate and archaic. I’m absolutely delighted that this Labour government has followed through with our calls for new legislation. This isn’t just a victory for me and my family, it’s also a victory for all the families who have worked tirelessly through their unbearable tragedies to have these laws changed.”
However, some in the cycling community have raised concerns regarding the potential implications of these legal changes. Chris Boardman, a former Olympic cyclist and the current national active travel commissioner for England, cautioned that such laws might deter individuals from cycling altogether, which could contradict broader government intentions to promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transport.
In alignment with its commitment to environmental targets, Labour has promised to provide substantial funding aimed at increasing cycling participation across the country. A spokesperson from the Department for Transport reinforced the government’s stance, stating, “Dangerous cycling is completely unacceptable, and the safety of our roads is a key priority for this government. We are proposing new offences and penalties for dangerous cycling, updating legislation that is over 160 years old, to ensure that the tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face the full force of the law. These are being brought forward as part of the crime and policing bill and will be debated in due course.”
This legislative change aims to strike a balance between enhancing road safety and fostering a positive environment for cycling, an activity that the government is keen to promote in the interest of sustainability and public health.
Source
www.theguardian.com