Cycling death or serious injury by dangerous or careless cycling is set to become an offence, after the British government agreed to a change in the law. Under the change, dangerous cyclists could face up to 14 years in prison.

Rigorous campaigning by Tory MP and former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith had proposed an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir iain  Duncan Smith said his proposal was not anti-cycling, it is about making sure this takes place in a safe and reasonable manner, but cyclists should be fully accountable for reckless behaviour.

He raised the case of Matthew Briggs, whose wife died from head injuries following a collision with a cyclist  Charlie Alliston (20) in London in 2016, who was found guilty of causing bodily harm by “wanton or furious driving, but cleared of manslaughter. He said his “amendment would achieve equal accountability, just as drivers are held accountable for dangerous driving that results in death, cyclists I think should face similar consequences for reckless behaviour that leads to fatalities”. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said “Most cyclists, like most motorists drivers are responsible and considerate. It’s only right that the tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face the full weight of the law for doing so ”

Matthew Briggs has criticised the “fetishism” of cyclists riding fixed gear bikes with no front brake and has called for change of the law.

Once it becomes law how are they going enforce with cyclist having no record.