New laws are planned that would have consequences for cyclists who do not follow the rules of the road
Cyclists have been warned new road rules could see them face severe punishment. The GOV.UK website states that as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, the government is vowing to take safety more seriously for everyone on the road by rolling out new changes.
The new powers are designed to allow the government to make the streets safer for pedestrians “by introducing new cycling offences to tackle those rare instances where victims have been killed or seriously injured by irresponsible cyclist behaviour.”
The government website explained: “What we are doing will not criminalise new behaviours. Instead, they will ensure that people who cause serious harm because of their bad cycling behaviour, which is already a criminal offence, are subject to penalties which equivalent to those already in place if the same level of harm is caused by drivers of other vehicles.”
The UK Government says there are “already strict laws in place for cyclists and police have the power to prosecute if these are broken”.
What offences are there and what’s the punishment?
The government said: “The Crime and Policing Bill introduces appropriate offences to the Road Traffic Act 1988, with the corresponding maximum penalties being set out in the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.”
The offences and the maximum penalties that are being introduced to achieve this are:
- 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.
To ensure “consistency in offences and penalties across Great Britain”, the UK Government shared that this key “legislation will extend to Scotland as well as England and Wales.”
As well as specific cycling offences, there are also ones that cover behaviour, including:
- The Road Traffic Act 1991 which created cycling offences parallel to those of careless and dangerous driving. The maximum fines are currently £1,000 for careless cycling and £2,500 for dangerous cycling.
- If bodily harm is caused by the cyclist, they can be prosecuted for wanton and furious driving under Section 35 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. The maximum penalty is 2 years imprisonment.
- Under section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 Act it is an offence to ride a bicycle on a “road or other public place” if one is unfit due to drink or drugs. The maximum punishment for this offence is a £1,000 fine.
The legislation comes after the Department for Transport (DfT) announced funding of almost £300 million for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6 for local authorities in a bid to provide high-quality and easily accessible active travel schemes across England.
Announced on February 12 2025, the DfT stated the funding will help to support “economic growth, health and net zero missions by helping to revitalise high streets, improving air quality and supporting people to live longer, healthier lives.”
The bill is currently making its way through Parliament. It will become law if it is approved, although amendments could be made before the process is completed.