Cyclists are being fined at ten times the rate of motorists for running red lights in the City of London, according to new figures from the City of London Police.
So far this year, 284 cyclists have received fixed penalty notices compared to just 25 drivers. Cyclists face a £50 fine, while drivers risk a £100 penalty and three licence points.
The enforcement data coincides with new research commissioned by e-bike firm Lime. It found 52% of London cyclists admit to running red lights, with 16% saying they do so regularly — despite 82% recognising the danger. Thirteen per cent were unaware it is illegal, and 71% support tougher penalties.
Cyclists Running Red Lights in London – Key Stats
- 284 cyclists have received a fine for not stopping at traffic lights in the City of London so far in 2025
- 25 drivers have received a fine for the same offence over the same period
Survey Findings on Cyclists’ Attitudes and Behaviour
- 52% of London cyclists say they have run red lights
- 16% of cyclists admit to running red lights regularly
- 58% of cyclists who cycle daily say they run red lights – compared to 43% of those who cycle monthly
- 13% of cyclists running red lights were unaware it is illegal
- 82% of London cyclists recognise that running red lights is dangerous
- 71% believe there should be tougher penalties for red-light offences
Cycling Volumes
1.33 million daily cycle journeys were recorded in London in 2024
Police and Lime launch parallel campaigns
In response, City of London Police have launched a Safer City Streets campaign. Alongside red light violations, the initiative also targets crimes such as mobile phone snatching by cyclists. Officers say their ‘Op Swipe’ has already reduced phone thefts by 30%. Free phone marking and ground-level warning plaques are also being deployed.
Tijs Broeke, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said: “This campaign is about action. We’re listening to concerns on issues like phone snatching, anti-social behaviour and reckless cycling, and taking clear, visible steps to tackle them.”
City of London Corporation’s Tom Sleigh added: “Red light running by a minority puts everyone at risk. It’s not just illegal – it’s anti-social. Safe cycling is non-negotiable.”
Lime is also launching its Respect the Red campaign, with safety messages at busy junctions. Policy director Hal Stevenson said: “When cyclists don’t feel safe, they take risks. The answer is better streets and responsible behaviour. Running red lights puts everyone at risk.”
Calls for better infrastructure and education
Cycling UK is working with Lime to create a training programme based on the research, focusing on Highway Code awareness. Director James Scott said:
“To maximise the benefits of cycling, we need continued investment in safe infrastructure and wider education for all road users.”
Pete Dyson, Bicycle Mayor of Bath, warned: “Red light running is dangerous, illegal and risks undermining public confidence and future investment in cycling.”
Cycling in the City of London has risen 50% in two years, with 1.33 million daily cycle journeys now recorded across the capital.
Sourced via Mail Online.
6 thoughts on “More cyclists are fined than drivers for red light offences in the City of London”
Two tier❓
I am shocked that only 52% of cyclists admit to running the red lights. I recently travelled to London to visit my daughter and decided to count how many cyclists I saw go through the red light. I counted 48 cyclists in total, but only witnessed ONE cylist stopped at a red light!!
I believe that the predominance of 20mph speed limits has made cyclists more complacent and even dare I say it, encourages cyslists to flirt with danger! Wheras when the speed limits were mainly 30mph, cyclists would be more careful and probably more likely to be closer to the 52%.
Working as an ADI in Wolverhampton, we often come across Cyclists on busy roads, riding on the road itself, often with tailbacks, with a perfectly decent cycle lane available to them.
Is there a good reason for this which i am missing ?
Not just London. Huge issue in Aberdeen where the police need to take action against both cyclists and drivers
Cyclists have been out of conrol for 40 years. they have now been joined by the even madder e cyclists and e scooterists. These people think nothing of doing 30+mph down the pavement and crossing junctions without looking or slowing down. Twice now I have nearly been hit by them on the same corner. Sooner or later they will get the timing right and end up badly injured if not dead. Darwin rules. Survival of the fittest, or in this case, the most sensible. Given that 82% run red lights knowing it is dangerous would suggest that Darwin’s concept of the survival of the fittest has some way to go before the really stupid ones are all killed and the slightly less stupid start to take notice..
Of course, in the 21st century, it is always someone else’s fault. The idiot cyclist going up the inside of a lorry turning left and making a swiing to thge right to get round has nothing to do with their demise. It is all the fault of the lorry driver for not seeing them. The fact that to do so would involve seeing round corners is conveniently ignored.
The new Highway Code says that cyclists are not obliged to use cycle lanes, installed at great public expense. Instead, they can, should they wish, continue gumming up the traffic. The whole idea of a cycle lane is to make cycling safer for the cyclist. The car driver does not care. He is well protected in a steel box which can be replaced. The lorry driver cares even less because there is not much that a cyclist can damage on a lorry and the driver will never feel it.
There needs to be a very, very big operation in each police force area to swoop down on illegal electric vehicles. The riders need to be hammered with every offence they commit and the machine inpounded on the spot and scrapped. The council run scooters and bikes must be impounded under insurance regulations, the same as any other vehicle. Either the council or the operator must pay the full release fee. I have lost count of the number of registered scooters being ridden under age, two or even three up, riding on pavement and through red lights.
They must be charged with riding without insurance, on unregistered machines, not conforming with construction and use regulations (how many have lights?), unlicensed, fraudulent use of a another’s license and then we get onto other driving offences. Parents too should be in the cross hairs. These things are expensive and kids generally do not have access to that sort of money, plus the fact that the only place to chargve it is at home. The total fines should be well into four figures and riders should also face not getting a provosional licence until they are much older, say 21. Anybody riding unlicensed on a second occasion should go straight to jail. They have had their chance and they will not get another one.
I think Electric Bikes should have a registration number. I often get overtaken by electric bikes; I’m doing 30 mph, and the electric bike passes very quickly. One day, I increased my speed to check the bike’s speed, and he was doing 40mph. And then he went through the red lights, he was lucky cars coming from the opposite side.