A Bill is to go before parliament with the intention of introducing a new offence of causing death by dangerous cycling.

The Bill is presented by Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom and comes after she met the family of a teenage girl who was killed by a cyclist. Rhiannon Bennett, 17, was hit by the bike of John Howard in April 2007. He approached Rhiannon and her friends and yelled "Move. I'm not stopping" before hitting Rhiannon, causing her to fall and hit her head on the kerb. She was taken to hospital but died six days later from her injuries.

Howard was convicted of dangerous cycling and was fined £2,200 but a motorist, facing a similar charge, could spend up to 14 years in jail and the new Bill will mean that cyclists could be prosecuted in the same way as drivers currently are. Mrs Leadsom said that there needs to be a charge that reflects the seriousness and consequences of a cyclist's actions.

The Department for Transport said that the Bill was being considered but would not comment on whether it would be supported by the government.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1375553/Death-dangerous-cycling-New-offence-crackdown-bikers.html