Following recently increased Government support, cyclists who cause death or serious personal injury due to dangerous and reckless cycling could soon face being charged with a road traffic accident offence.
If successful, the bill, which was introduced by Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire Andrea Leadsom, will create a new legal offence for causing death or serious injury through cycling.
Commenting on her reasons behind introducing the bill, Ms Leadsom said, "I have received literally hundreds of emails and letters from people across the country and outside this country, complaining about accidents caused by cyclists on pavements to children, to elderly people and so on."
The MP highlighted that a common complaint is that victims are unable to identify cyclists and there is a lack of accountability following an accident.
However, a 2009 study revealed that only a small percentage of road traffic accidents involving cyclists are caused by riders cycling dangerously.
*Where replacement vehicle costs can be recovered from the insurance company of the person who caused the accident.
Where this person is untraceable or uninsured, or where there is a dispute over liability, a replacement vehicle cannot
be provided.
