I'm trying to see if the new laws if similar to current laws could be applied to a cyclist who in the eyes of a police officer is cycling carelessly/dangerously but hasn't actually caused any harm. For instance for cycling not in an optional cycle lane or taking the lane, doing a time trial etc i.e. sort of legal and/or recommended cycling that to some people might be considered dangerous or careless.
I guess it all comes down to what others have said, by what standard will careless/dangerous cycling be judged.
The definition of careless and dangerous is well-established.
In summary, careless is a momentary lapse of attention, or driving that falls below the standard of a careful and competent driver.
Dangerous is driving 'far below' the standard of a careful and competent driver.
In our legal system the initial opinion of that will usually be made by a police officer who decides whether to start the charging process.
The judgment of that is made by magistrates if the case is tried by them, or by a jury if it goes to Crown Court.
Or, of course, by the driver if he convicts himself by pleading guilty.
There is subjectivity involved in making those judgments, but particularly in the more serious cases it's usually fairly clear.
If you flee from the police and barrel down your local high street at 60mph on the wrong side of the road, there isn't room for much argument against that being dangerous driving.
