Cyclists who kill pedestrians should be subject to the same laws as motorists, a Government commissioned study has suggested.

Ministers are considering changing the law to create an equivalent cycling offence to causing death or serious injury by dangerous or careless driving.

An independent legal expert was asked to examine the merits of such a move and has now concluded that there is a “persuasive case” to “bring cycling into line with driving offences”.

The safety review was launched in September last year after a former courier knocked over and killed a mother-of-two while riding an illegal Olympic-style racing bike.

The review noted that in Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany “their normal driving laws apply equally to cyclists” and suggests the existing Road Traffic Act could be amended to remove the restriction of "mechanically propelled vehicles" to the offences of causing death or serious injury by dangerous or careless driving.

The Department for Transport said it would now consider the review’s findings and respond in due course.