Eleven cyclists a day fined for running red lights in London as police get tough on law-breaking riders

An average of 11 cyclists a day are fined for running red lights in London and hit with £50 fines , figures released today reveal.

Metropolitan Police official statistics show 4,067 cyclists were fined by officers for failing to obey traffic light signals in 2023.

The figures, obtained under a Freedom of Information request, also reveal 196 cyclists were issued with £30 fixed penalty notices for riding on pavements.

Police across the capital have been cracking down on cyclists flouting traffic laws.

City of London Police dished out 944 fixed penalty notices to cyclists for riding through red lights in the nine months to April.

The penalties were issued by the force’s Cycle Response Unit, set up to tackle the growing problem of cyclists shooting red lights in the Square Mile.

Meanwhile police forces across the UK are backing tougher laws on cyclists deemed to be riding in a way that is dangerous to pedestrians .

A consultation document revealed that 2,491 pedestrians were injured by cyclists over a six-year period, across the country. Of those, 20 were killed and 546 were seriously injured.

The Government consultation received responses from 35 police forces which were “broadly supportive” of new laws, although their “biggest concern” was how such legislation would be applied.

The issue became a national debate after Hilda Griffiths, 81 , died after receiving serious injuries in a collision with a cyclist riding in a “fast group” exceeding a 20mph speed limit while doing time trials in Regent’s Park.

The cyclist was riding at 29mph but was not prosecuted as there is no set legal speed limit for cyclists.

In theory, a cyclist could be convicted of involuntary manslaughter if someone dies in a collision, which can result in a life sentence over a death but this is highly unlikely when a lesser charge is available.

The government consultation report adds that “most local government bodies supported” new tougher laws but “pointed out their need to promote cycling and highlighted the comparatively few collisions between cyclists and pedestrians compared with those involving motor vehicles and pedestrians or cyclists”.

It also showed 53 per cent of cyclists were against new offences being introduced for causing death by careless cycling, if the rider is found to be under the influence of drink or drugs. And 74 per cent of cyclists opposed increasing the current £1,000 fine for those caught on a bike while unfit through drink or drugs.

It noted “the most common statements from respondents who said they cycle were ‘motorists are dangerous; focus on them instead’.”

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