The UK government has unveiled plans to tackle dangerous and antisocial cycling through a series of new laws that could lead to penalties, education courses, or fixed penalty notices for cyclists.

These new measures target behaviors such as cycling dangerously on the road and riding without lights at night.

The government hopes these changes will improve safety for both cyclists and other road users.

Education Courses for Dangerous Cycling Offences

Under the new proposals, cyclists who break certain laws could be required to take a 30-minute e-learning course provided by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS), at a cost of £100.

This would serve as an alternative to paying a fine.

The course is designed to educate cyclists about safe road behavior without the need for a formal court appearance.

The goal is to address lower-level offences like cycling without proper care and attention, which could otherwise be punished by fines or penalty points.

What Are the New Offences Cyclists Could Be Penalized For?

The new laws introduce ten specific offences under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, and the Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997.

Some of the key offences include:

Failing to stop at a school crossing patrol
Cycling dangerously or without reasonable consideration for others
Riding without lights between sunset and sunrise
Holding on to a vehicle while cycling
Cycling in Royal Parks in a manner that endangers others

The government is expanding these regulations to address unsafe cycling in areas like London’s Royal Parks, including Hyde Park and Regent’s Park, where cyclists will now need to follow specific rules to ensure the safety of all park users.

Consultation Reveals Concerns Over Dangerous Cycling Offences

After the government opened a consultation on the new rules, several concerns were raised by both the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London.

Many were worried that including dangerous and careless cycling in the proposed offences could create confusion, as these types of cycling violations already overlap with existing traffic laws for careless and dangerous driving.

Some respondents argued that these offences should be dealt with through the courts rather than through education courses or fixed penalties.

Government Responds to Feedback

In response to the concerns raised during the consultation, the government engaged with national policing bodies to further discuss the matter.

They acknowledged that the penalties for dangerous cycling should be appropriate to the context, including factors like the location of the incident (e.g., on a busy street or an empty road).

The government confirmed that police officers will have discretion in deciding whether to impose a fine, offer an education course, or take further action based on the specific circumstances.

Campaigners Call for Harsher Penalties for Dangerous Cycling

In addition to these new proposals, campaigners have been advocating for harsher penalties for cyclists who cause fatal accidents.

In May of last year, the government supported a plan to increase prison sentences for cyclists convicted of causing death by dangerous riding.

This movement gained traction following tragic cases like that of Kim Briggs, who was killed by a reckless cyclist in East London.

As of now, this proposal is still awaiting approval from the House of Lords as part of the Criminal Justice Bill.

The Broader Impact of Dangerous Cycling

These recent legal changes come in the wake of several tragic incidents involving cyclists.

In 2022, a cyclist was convicted after causing the death of an 81-year-old woman by crashing into her while overtaking her on the River Thames towpath.

Additionally, another cyclist was found guilty of causing harm when he hit a pedestrian in Regent’s Park while riding at 29mph in a 20mph zone.

These incidents have spurred calls for more stringent regulations to ensure cycling is safe for all.

With these new rules, the UK government is aiming to strike a balance between promoting safe cycling and maintaining flexibility in how dangerous cycling offences are handled.

While the debate continues, it’s clear that the government is taking steps to make cycling a safer activity for everyone on the roads and in public spaces.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn