A new law to tackle dangerous cycling could be introduced after a number of high profile bike deaths prompted the government into action.

Ministers have launched an urgent review into cycling safety just days after 20-year-old bike courier Charlie Alliston, from Bermondsey, was jailed on September 18 for killing mother of two Kim Briggs.

Alliston, then 18, was travelling at 18mph on a fixed-wheel track bike with no front brakes before he crashed into the 44-year-old as she crossed Old Street in east London in February last year.

He was cleared of manslaughter by jurors at the Old Bailey but found guilty of causing bodily harm by "wanton and furious driving".

The defendant was handed an 18-month custodial term at a young offender institution.

The review will look at whether a new offence equivalent to causing death by careless or dangerous driving should be introduced for cyclists, as well as wider improvements for cycling road safety issues.

According to the Department for Transport, more than 100 cyclists are killed each year and more than 3,000 are seriously injured.

Two pedestrians were killed and 96 seriously injured after being hit by a bicycle in 2015.

Earlier this month a 67-year-old pedestrian died in hospital following a crash with a cyclist during RideLondon in July.

Announcing the move on Thursday (September 21), transport minister Jesse Norman said: "Although the UK has some of the safest roads in the world, we are always looking to make them safer.

"It’s great that cycling has become so popular in recent years but we need to make sure that our road safety rules keep pace with this change.

"We already have strict laws that ensure that drivers who put people’s lives at risk are punished but, given recent cases, it is only right for us to look at whether dangerous cyclists should face the same consequences.

"We’ve seen the devastation that reckless cycling and driving can cause, and this review will help safeguard both Britain’s cyclists and those who share the roads with them."

The review, which will seek to improve all elements of cycle safety, will be in two phases.

The first phase will analyse the case for creating a new offence equivalent to causing death or serious injury by careless or dangerous driving to help protect both cyclists and pedestrians.

The second phase will be a wider consultation on road safety issues relating to cycling.

Charlie Alliston, 20, arrives for sentencing at the Old Bailey on September 18

Paul Tuohy, Cycling UK’s chief executive, told the Bristol Post : "The consultation on road safety issues is an opportunity to keep cyclists and pedestrians safer.

"Cycling UK looks forward to working with the Department for Transport on this consultation to ensure it focuses on evidenced ways that keep our most vulnerable road users safe, by addressing risks such as dangerous roads, drivers and vehicles.

"The proposed review of cycling offences needs to be carried out as part of the Government’s promised wider review of all road traffic offences and sentencing.

"This will ensure the justice system can deal with mistakes, carelessness, recklessness and deliberately dangerous behaviour by all road users."

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