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Nearly run over by a cyclist (again)?

Published: 06/11/2025
Written by Curwens Solicitors

Whether you are a motorist, or a pedestrian, you will often see cyclists playing fast and loose with “the laws of the road” every day. Indeed, often several times a day.

Cycling is a popular, eco-friendly way to get around, especially in busy cities where access through busy roads can be easier than driving. But as more bikes hit the roads, questions about how cyclists interact with traffic laws and whether they’re held to the same standards as drivers, keep coming up.

Are cyclists a law unto themselves? Do they treat adhering to the law as optional? Well, in legal terms, cyclists are classified as road users, not motor vehicle drivers, so while some rules (like speed limits) may not apply to them, others (like failing to stop at a red light or giving pedestrians priority at zebra crossings) absolutely do.


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While many cyclists ride responsibly, there are a few infractions that come up again and again:

  1. Running red lights. This is perhaps the most common complaint. Some cyclists treat red lights more like a suggestion, than an obligation; riding through junctions irrespective of whether the coast is clear.
  2. Riding on the pavement. In the UK, it’s illegal to cycle on pavements unless it’s marked as a shared pathway. However, some riders, especially younger or nervous ones, use pavements to avoid fast or dangerous roads.
  3. Ignoring one-way systems. Some cyclists assume one-way signs apply only to cars, but unless there's signage explicitly permitting it, riding the wrong way down a one-way street is against the law.
  4. No lights at night. UK law requires a white front light, red rear light, and reflectors on bikes ridden after dark. Riding without them is both dangerous and also illegal.
  5. Using mobile phones or wearing headphones. Unlike drivers, there's no specific offence for using a phone while cycling, however doing so could fall under "cycling without due care and attention".

The frustration is not just about legal breaches, but the perception that cyclists get away with things motorists never could.

On average 3 pedestrians have been killed by cyclists each year since 2014. So, in the event of an accident, what jeopardy is the cyclist in?

If a cyclist hits a pedestrian:

  • If it is an incident where someone is injured, they have a legal duty to stop and provide their name and address.
  • The cyclist can be held liable for injuries they cause through careless or dangerous riding.
  • Whilst there is no legal requirement for cyclists to carry insurance, they can still be sued personally in civil court.
  • The injured pedestrian can claim compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain/suffering.
  • The cyclist may also face criminal charges, especially if the injury is serious, and they are proven to have been riding dangerously, recklessly or furiously.

Both Charlie Alliston (in 2017) and Ermir Loka (in 2021) were jailed after killing pedestrians in collisions with their bikes. They were both convicted under Victorian era legislation of “causing bodily harm by wanton or furious riding”.



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The Government is in the process of changing the law in its Crime and Policing Bill. Their objective “is not to criminalise new conduct, but instead to ensure that people who cause serious harm because of their bad cycling behaviour - which is already a criminal offence - are subject to penalties equivalent to those applied to drivers of other vehicles.”

The proposed changes follow years of campaigning by families of victims, such as the widower of Kim Briggs, who died after being hit and killed by Charlie Alliston in 2016.

Consequently, the maximum penalty for Causing death by dangerous cycling could be up to life imprisonment. Legislation also includes a raft of other dangerous and reckless offences that would carry substantial jail time.

For many drivers, the frustration is not just about legal breaches, but the perception that cyclists get away with things motorists never could.

On the other hand, cyclists often feel vulnerable and sometimes bend rules to protect themselves. Ultimately, a safer road network benefits everyone and that safety includes holding all users, whether on two wheels or four, to account for the consequences of how they behave.

Sara Alili is an Associate at Curwens LLP. If you have been in an incident and you have suffered personal injury or you have caused injuries to another road user or pedestrian, please contact us for legal advice. We act for Claimants and Defendants in these types of cases.

Equality Curwens

 

Please note that our briefings are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute legal advice.

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