CYCLISTS WILL SOON be facing new cycling offences that are set to become law.
They are being warned over new rules that will see harsher penalties, Keith Gudgin reports.
Protect pedestrians
As part of the Crime and Policing Bill, authorities are taking road safety more seriously for all users by making significant changes to protect pedestrians.
This is being brought about owing to the increasing number of people being killed or seriously injured by irresponsible cyclists.
The offences and maximum penalties being introduced to achieve this include:
The offences
* Causing death by dangerous cycling. On conviction on indictment, up to life imprisonment.
* Causing serious injury by dangerous cycling. On conviction on indictment, 5 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. On summary conviction, the general limit in a magistrates’ court (currently 12 months) (in England and Wales), or 12 months (in Scotland); or the statutory maximum fine, or both.
* Causing death by careless or inconsiderate cycling. On conviction on indictment, 5 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. On summary conviction, the general limit in a magistrates’ court (currently 12 months) (in England and Wales), or the maximum term of imprisonment on summary conviction (currently 12 months) in Scotland; or the statutory maximum fine, or both.
* Causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate cycling. On conviction on indictment, 2 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. On summary conviction, the general limit in a magistrates’ court (currently 12 months) (in England and Wales), or the maximum term of imprisonment on summary conviction (currently 12 months) in Scotland; or the statutory maximum fine or both.