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UK Proposes Life Sentences for Cyclists Causing Death by Dangerous Riding

Amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill aim to close a legal loophole, aligning cycling penalties with motoring laws for serious offences.

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Overview

  • The UK government has tabled amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that would allow life imprisonment for cyclists causing death by dangerous riding.
  • The proposed changes update a Victorian-era law that currently limits penalties for dangerous cycling to a maximum of two years in prison.
  • Those causing serious injury by dangerous cycling could face up to five years in jail under the new legislation, pending parliamentary approval.
  • Campaigners, including Matt Briggs, whose wife was killed by a cyclist in 2016, have welcomed the reforms as overdue and necessary for road safety.
  • Cycling advocates, such as Chris Boardman, have expressed concerns that stricter penalties might discourage cycling, potentially undermining environmental goals.