Images of cyclists in Central London breaking road rules emerge shortly after government approval of harsher jail sentences for dangerous cycling. Proposed amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill aim to close legal loopholes and increase accountability for cyclists.
In May 2024, images surfaced showing cyclists in Central London flouting road rules just days after the government approved tougher jail sentences for dangerous cycling. These new laws, currently making their way through Parliament, allow for up to 14 years of prison for cyclists causing death or serious injury. The legislation aims to address a legal gap that previously permitted a maximum two-year jail sentence for cyclists who kill pedestrians.
The amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, championed by former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, seeks to hold cyclists accountable for reckless behavior similarly to drivers. The bill’s urgency has been underscored by events such as the fatal 2016 collision involving Matthew Briggs’ wife, Kim, and cyclist Charlie Alliston, who had been riding a fixed-gear bike without front brakes. Alliston was convicted under an outdated Victorian law and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
The new proposed law mandates that cyclists ensure their bikes are legally maintained, including functional brakes, and applies to pedal cycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-unicycles. Transport Secretary Mark Harper emphasized that while most cyclists are responsible, those who act recklessly must face stringent legal consequences.