Title: Experts Warn Proposed Cycling Law Changes May Not Enhance Road Safety

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Experts are warning they are "unlikely to improve road safety," with a previous attempt to bring in harsher sentences previously scrapped during the General Election.

Cycling law changes could prosecute dangerous riders who kill pedestrians. But experts are warning they are "unlikely to improve road safety," with a previous attempt to bring in harsher sentences previously scrapped during the General Election.

Labour Party government Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander aims to close a legal loophole which meant cyclists who killed or seriously injured pedestrians would be charged under a law intended for horse-drawn carriages from 1861.

Josh Hughes, Partner in the Complex Injury Team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, told GB News that it was "difficult to sustain" and said: "Where reckless cycling occurs, leading to death or serious injury, that person should not be treated unduly favourably by virtue of outdated laws."

"We are, however, talking about a tiny fraction of road traffic offences in comparison to conventional collisions between motorised vehicles and pedestrians where greater focus ought to lie."

"It remains the case that the overwhelming risk to vulnerable road users, as demonstrated by the UK’s road safety statistics, are speeding motorised vehicles."

A DfT spokesperson said: “Dangerous cycling is completely unacceptable, and the safety of our roads is a key priority for this Government.

“The Government is 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.” Campaigners have welcomed the new legislation. Matt Briggs, whose wife, Kim, 44, was killed by a cyclist nine years ago, told the Telegraph: “After losing Kim in 2016, 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.”