The government is looking at introducing a new offence equivalent to causing death or serious injury by careless or dangerous driving for cyclists.

Following recent high-profile cases involving cyclists and pedestrians, the DfT is to look at whether it should create such an offence to improve the safety of vulnerable road users.

Its review will be informed by independent legal advice and its conclusions will be reported in early 2018.

It then plans to issue a consultation on ways cycle safety could be improved for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.

The consultation is expected to consider the rules of the road, public awareness, safety risks and guidance and signage for all road users.

Transport minister Jesse Norman said: “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 government has claimed that its spending on cycling tripled between 2010 and 2017.

The mayor of London last week revealed plans for a ninth cycle superhighway in central London, linking Kensington Olympia to Brentford.

TfL aims to start building the cycle superhighway late next year, and hopes to extend it to Hounslow at a later date.