00:00Cyclists could soon be punished in the same way as other road users for reckless behaviour.
00:07In an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, ministers have agreed to introduce the offence
00:11of causing death by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling, and causing serious
00:15injury by careless or inconsiderate cycling. As it stands, the bill still needs to be presented
00:20to the Lords for further debate. It follows campaigning by MP Sir Ian Duncan-Smith, who
00:25said cyclists should be held accountable for careless behaviour, but said the law wasn't
00:29anti-cycling, and in fact the opposite. The proposal aims to make the current convoluted
00:34and difficult legal process simpler, according to Sir Ian. Transport Secretary Mark Harper
00:39said most cyclists, like most drivers, are responsible and considerate, but it's only
00:43right that the tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face the full weight of the
00:48law for doing so. While bodies that represent cyclists back change that makes roads safer,
00:52they point out road deaths involving cyclists are rare, and that a greater focus is instead
00:57needed on deaths and injuries caused by motor vehicles. With the law potentially changing,
01:02do you know your Highway Code rules pertaining to cyclists?
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