A widower has called on the Labour government to close a legal loophole after a cyclist fatally collided with his wife, prompting demands for a cycling speed limit in England.
Fatal Collision in Tameside
Tony Jenkins is urging authorities to address the issue after his wife, Patricia Jenkins, was killed in a collision with a cyclist on Mottram Road near Stalybridge, Tameside. The 80-year-old pedestrian was crossing the road at around 12pm on Sunday, 4 May 2025, when she was struck by John Andrew, a 41-year-old cyclist participating in the Tour de Manc sportive, an annual non-profit cycling event supporting various charities.
Mrs Jenkins suffered a severe brain injury and broken ribs in the crash and died in hospital three days later. During the inquest, police confirmed that speed limits do not currently apply to cyclists.
Widower Calls for Change
Speaking to The Telegraph, Tony Jenkins expressed his frustration: “It’s unbelievable that cyclists can still not be prosecuted for speeding in this country. Bikes can go at a substantial pace, and I know they can exceed the speed limit where the accident happened.” He highlighted that despite the cyclist having a bike computer, a Garmin watch, cycling apps, and a camera, police could not establish a provable speed.
Witness Benjamin Ashworth, driving 650 feet behind the cyclists, estimated they were “doing 30s … going as fast as a car.” He added, “I thought, ‘Has he not seen her?’ She was right in front of him.” Another witness, Ella McCalman, described the bikes as “going at some pace … travelling downhill,” and recalled Mrs Jenkins briefly glancing right before a “thud … [and] she completely flew.”
No Prosecution Due to Loophole
Detective Constable Aaron Cramer, who led the investigation, stated there was “not a realistic prospect of a prosecution” and he was “not satisfied Mr Andrew’s [cycling] manner amounted to wanton and furious driving.” Coroner Ms Morris noted that Mr Andrew provided “credible evidence” about his speed, acknowledging the “frustration the family and police feel about the lack of data.”
The case has reignited debate over whether cyclists should be subject to speed limits, with campaigners arguing that current laws leave a dangerous gap in accountability.
