Cyclists Jumping Red Lights: My Thoughts on the City of London Police Crackdown

by Kevin O'Sullivan, Founder and Principal Solicitor at Cycle Legal

I recently had the pleasure of joining Nick Abbott on LBC radio to discuss a new City of London Police initiative targeting cyclists who jump red lights.

The scheme, called Stop, Look, Listen, Change, gives cyclists caught running red lights a choice between receiving a fine or watching a short educational video about the potential consequences of their actions.

I was asked what I thought about it, and my answer was quite straightforward. I'm very much in favour.

As a cyclist myself, and someone who has spent decades representing cyclists seriously injured on our roads, I believe we all have a responsibility to behave safely and considerately.

That responsibility extends to pedestrians, particularly those who are more vulnerable, including older people, young children and people with visual impairments.

But there's a wider conversation to be had here.

While irresponsible cycling deserves attention, we mustn't lose sight of the far greater dangers that motor vehicles pose to vulnerable road users.

And that's something I was particularly keen to emphasise during our conversation.

Listen to the full interview here.

Why I Support the Police Initiative

I think initiatives like this are a positive step towards making our roads safer.

Rather than simply issuing fines, the police are giving cyclists an opportunity to understand the potential consequences of jumping a red light.

It's an approach I welcome.

One point I raised during the interview was the danger to pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments.

I regularly think about older people and young children when I'm cycling, but I'll admit that I hadn't always given the same consideration to blind pedestrians crossing the road.

For someone who cannot see an approaching cyclist, an unexpected bicycle entering a pedestrian crossing can present a frightening and potentially dangerous situation.

It's something we should all be more conscious of.

I also spoke about the changes made to the Highway Code in January 2022, which introduced a clearer hierarchy of road users.

The principle is simple: those who can cause the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others.

As cyclists, we have a responsibility to protect pedestrians, just as motorists have a responsibility to protect us.

I think that's an important message worth repeating.

Why I Think Cycling on Pavements Is a Bigger Problem

During the interview, I made a point that might surprise some people.

I actually think cycling on pavements presents a greater danger to pedestrians than cyclists jumping red lights.

That's not to excuse running a red light. It's dangerous, irresponsible and against the law.

But when a cyclist jumps a red light at a busy junction, they're often putting themselves in considerable danger from approaching vehicles.

Cycling on the pavement creates a different problem.

Pedestrians should be able to walk along a pavement without worrying about bicycles approaching them, particularly when they're elderly, visually impaired or otherwise vulnerable.

I see this as a serious issue, and one that deserves just as much attention as red-light enforcement.

Why I Don't Support Mandatory Cycling Tests or Registration

Nick also asked whether cyclists should have to pass some form of examination before taking to the roads.

My answer was no.

I understand the argument. Someone can hire a bicycle, jump on it and start riding without having demonstrated any understanding of the rules of the road.

But I strongly believe we should be encouraging more people to cycle, rather than creating additional barriers.

Cycling is good for our health, our environment and our communities. I've seen how much more popular it has become in London over the past few decades, and I think that's a wonderful development.

The same reasoning applies to proposals for bicycle registration.

I don't believe requiring every bicycle to be registered, in the same way as a car or motorcycle, would be a positive step.

I'd much rather see effective policing of dangerous behaviour than measures that make cycling less accessible.

The vast majority of cyclists behave responsibly. We shouldn't forget that when discussing the actions of a minority.

We Mustn't Forget the Dangers Cyclists Face From Motor Vehicles

In my work at Cycle Legal, I represent cyclists who have suffered serious, sometimes life-changing injuries following collisions with motor vehicles.

I've encountered cases where injured cyclists have told me they believe a driver deliberately drove towards them.

It's a deeply troubling allegation to hear, and one that illustrates the hostility some cyclists feel they encounter on our roads.

Of course, the overwhelming majority of motorists don't behave this way.

But the consequences of a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle can be devastating.

This is particularly apparent when we look beyond central London.

In the City of London, where this police initiative is taking place, bicycles are extremely common and traffic speeds are relatively low.

On rural roads, cyclists face a very different environment. Vehicles travel at higher speeds, and the consequences of a collision can be catastrophic.

That's why I think it's important to keep the wider picture in mind whenever we're discussing cycling safety.

Why Better Cycling Infrastructure Matters

One particularly interesting part of our conversation concerned cyclists who move through red lights shortly before they turn green.

I made the point that some cyclists do this because they feel vulnerable alongside motor traffic and want to get ahead of vehicles before they start moving.

I'm certainly not excusing the behaviour, but I think it's important to understand why it happens.

In London, we have traffic lights at some junctions that give cyclists a green signal several seconds before motorists.

These are an excellent development. We need more.

They allow cyclists to move ahead, become more visible and reduce the risk of conflicts with turning vehicles.

Advanced stop lines serve a similar purpose, positioning cyclists in front of motor traffic at junctions.

These measures are particularly important around large vehicles such as HGVs, where a driver turning left may fail to see a cyclist travelling straight ahead.

I've supported the London Cycling Campaign for many years, and I've been pleased to see the improvements in cycling infrastructure across the capital.

One of my favourite examples is the segregated cycle route along the Embankment, between Tower Bridge and Big Ben.

It's a wonderful stretch of infrastructure and a reminder of what can be achieved when cycling safety is taken seriously.

Check out: the impact of cycling infrastructure on accident rates.

Making Our Roads Safer for Everyone

I welcome the City of London Police initiative, and I hope it encourages cyclists to think more carefully about the consequences of their actions.

But I also hope it contributes to a broader conversation about road safety.

We all have responsibilities, whether we're walking, cycling or driving.

For me, the priority should always be protecting the most vulnerable road users, improving infrastructure and encouraging responsible behaviour.

I've spent many years cycling around London and representing people whose lives have been changed by serious cycling accidents.

I've also seen enormous improvements in the way our city accommodates cyclists.

I hope that progress continues.

Because ultimately, I want to see more people enjoying cycling, and doing so as safely as possible.

Kevin O'Sullivan is the Founder and Principal Solicitor of Cycle Legal, a specialist law firm representing injured cyclists.