City Police issue more than double red-light tickets to cyclists

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

From City of London Police

City of London Police have issued more than double the number of fixed penalty notices for cyclists going through red lights.

Figures from the start of April 2025 to end of March 2026 show that the force’s cycle team issued 1,315 fixed penalty notices to cyclists, compared to 643 in the same period the previous financial year. On average, the force is issuing 25 fixed penalty notices a week to cyclists going through red lights.

City of London Police is hosting the biggest cycle roadshow between 8am and 10am today (Thursday 16 April) outside Mansion House, as part of the force’s education, engagement and enforcement work.

During the event, cyclists going through red lights and endangering pedestrians and other road users will be invited to attend the roadshow and speak with people in the visually impaired community.

Refusal to attend will result in a £50 fine.

Officers are joined by people who are visually impaired and blind to explain to cyclists who run through red lights how their actions affect their ability to safely cross the road.

Sergeant Stuart Ford, Cycle Team lead at the City of London Police, said:

“Most cyclists are safe and obey the Highway Code, however, we are educating, engaging and where necessary enforcing those road users who go through red lights, putting themselves and pedestrians at risk.

“Running a red light puts pedestrians, especially vulnerable ones, at risk. Cyclists gamble on the fact that pedestrians will move out the way, ignoring any hidden vulnerabilities.

“Cyclists who run a red light for the sake of saving a few minutes could endanger other vulnerable road users.

“We are going the extra mile by listening to concerns of the public and cracking down on anti-social behaviour and road offences.”

Figures also show that the cycle team has been seizing almost one illegal e-bike a day. There were 351 illegal e-bike seizures during the last financial year compared to 326 in the same period the previous year.

The City of London Police relaunched its cycling capability in 2023, to help combat phone snatching, as well as other offences like drug and road offences. The Cycle Response Unit is highly visible, approachable and able to quickly get through areas inaccessible to vehicles.

Tijs Broeke, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Police Authority Board, said:

“City streets are shared by pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, which means everyone needs to show respect for their fellow road users. I fully support City Police’s pro-active approach in tackling something we know is a big issue for residents and workers, and one which puts others at risk.

“Initiatives like this send a strong message that the rules apply to everyone, and we all have shared responsibility to ensure the Square Mile is a place where everyone can feel safe and welcome.”

[bobm]

As a former cyclist I have to say “good”.  There are a minority of cyclists who give the rest a bad name.

If they could now tackle the ones who cycle in pedestrianised areas and pavements it would be even better.

As for the maniac who gave me a load of verbal last week because I had the temerity to be on the pavement putting my bins out last week…..

[Bob_Blakey]

As a former cyclist I have to say “good”.  There are a minority of cyclists who give the rest a bad name.....

As an active recreational cyclist I fully concur, but outside of our major cities it appears well nigh impossible to get the police to organise even the occasional blitz on these imbeciles.

[Marlburian]

Stopping errant cyclists must be a challenge for the police, and perhaps the best way is if the police themselves are on bikes.  And once they've been brought to halt, how are ID and  addresses accurately verified?

A couple of days ago the media had a story "Mum calling for balaclava ban after masked e-bikers leave son severely injured".  I sympathise, but how would such a ban be enforced?

[Bob_Blakey]

.....I sympathise, but how would such a ban be enforced?

Easy. A couple of beat bobbies positioned to identify the guilty, radio connected to a few more officers a little further along the way to effect the detention (using bicycle stingers if necessary). I take the view that if all such 'low level' offending is initially addressed with suitable financial penalties, and these outcomes are suitably publicised, it stops. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Many years ago, walking in to work in an office in central Bristol, on the pavement, I was startled by the imperious ringing of a bicycle bell behind me.  Instinctively, I stepped to my right - causing the impatient cyclist to also swerve even further to the right.  He thus took a purler, over the handlebars, head first into a pile of empty cardboard boxes outside a shop.  I merely continued my saunter into work, while quietly sniggering to myself.