Drivers who kill or maim cyclists should face longer jail sentences, according to proposals submitted to the Government this week. Tougher sanctions, greater investment in routes for cyclists, and lower speed limits are among recommendations in a report from the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, (APPCG).

Cycling deaths reached a five-year high last year when 122 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads.

The Olympic gold medal winner Chris Boardman and TV journalist Jon Snow were among those who gave evidence to the "Get Britain Cycling" inquiry, which also heard from motoring bodies and government ministers. The inquiry looked into measures to better protect cyclists and encourage people to take to two wheels. The inquiry was told that Britain's dangerous roads were one of the biggest concerns of those wanting to take up cycling. Figures released last week showed cycling still accounts for only 2 per cent of all journeys in the UK – a figure unchanged from the previous year – despite the huge surge in interest generated by the Olympic Games.