That's exactly what I've been saying for years. All these advocacy organizations keep trying to increase penalties for killing vulnerable road users. To me, that's exactly the wrong approach. Not only doesn't it address the underlying issue, but it reinforces drivers' view of us as "other."

All other traffic offenses are strict liability. Speed, and it doesn't matter whether or not your speedometer was accurate. Run a stop sign, and it doesn't matter whether or not you saw it. Drive drunk, and it doesn't matter that you sincerely believed you were okay to drive.

Kill someone, and all of a sudden the prosecution has to prove mens rea.