Red lights are being regularly ignored by one quarter of e-bike riders – making them the most likely lawbreakers when it comes to disregarding traffic signals.
Researchers checked out the behaviour of more than 7,500 cyclists, 11,000 pedestrians and 26,000 cars at 80 junctions across London, Manchester and Glasgow.
They found that 25 per cent of e-bike riders failed to stop at red lights, in turn ‘putting lives at risk’.
Meanwhile, some 22 per cent of food delivery riders, who are paid per drop, were seen ignoring traffic signals.
In total, one fifth of e-bike riders, e-scooter riders and cyclists were caught routinely jumping red lights, a study by camera company Nextbase found.
Those who break the law can face a fine of up to £50 and if a rider is found guilty of a more serious offence in court, this can increase to £2,500.
Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, said: ‘It’s clear too many of us are treating simple traffic laws as optional, with a total lack of respect for the rules that are there to make the roads safer for everyone.
‘People may say it’s a victimless crime, one that shaves a few seconds off your commute, but it puts pedestrians’, cyclists’ and other road users’ lives at risk every day.’
A cyclist weaves through pedestrians trying to cross Westminster Bridge Road in London
Cyclists have been riding at speed between pedestrians crossing Westminster Bridge Road
The study found that some junctions are worse than others when it comes to the extent of the rule breaking.
At one junction in Glasgow, a whopping 54 per cent of bike and scooter riders jumped the red light.
Meanwhile, half of riders and cyclists did not stop at the junction studied in Oxford Circus, central London.
It comes after City of London Police announced this summer they are carrying out a new crackdown on cyclists who flout regulations.
As of July 3, some 284 riders had been fined this year for not stopping at traffic lights in the City of London, compared to just 25 drivers.
The force dubbed its campaign ‘Safer City Streets’ and said the aim was to reduce potentially dangerous behaviour by cyclists.
Tijs Broeke, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said: ‘People want to feel safe on our streets whether they’re walking to work, cycling through the Square Mile, or just enjoying the City.
‘This campaign is about action. We’re listening to the concerns of residents and workers on issues like phone snatching, anti-social behaviour and reckless cycling, and taking clear, visible steps to tackle them.
‘By combining intelligence-led patrols, smart enforcement, and community engagement, we’re focused on prevention and results.
Some cyclists have even been seen performing wheelies while the green man is showing
A cyclist is seen weaving through pedestrians at a crossing near Westminster
Cyclists are pictured here riding around Regent’s Park in north London (file photo)
‘It’s about keeping crime down, supporting victims and making sure the City stays one of the safest places in the country.’
Meanwhile, a separate study for Lime and carried out by Thinks Insight & Strategy suggested 52 per cent of London cyclists admit to running red lights – with 16 per cent confessing they do so regularly.
And yet 82 per cent of the capital’s cyclists, more than four in five, recognised that going through traffic lights was dangerous – yet 13 per cent of those committing the offence were unaware it is actually illegal.
Some 71 per cent of London bikers say there should be tougher penalties for running red lights, according to the new poll of more than 1,000 cyclists across the city.
Lime is now launching its own new safety campaign, dubbed ‘Respect the Red’ – installing safety messages at high-traffic cycling hotspots and key junctions.
The company’s UK and Ireland policy director Hal Stevenson said: ‘More Londoners are cycling than ever and as our city adapts, we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe.
‘This research confirms what we’ve long known – when cyclists don’t feel safe, they take risks. The answer is better streets for cyclists, and we’ve made good progress thanks to TfL and London boroughs. But the pace of change must match demand.
‘Cyclists also need to take responsibility. Running red lights puts everyone at risk. As part of London’s cycling community, we know Lime has a role to play.
‘We back Thinks’ recommendations and are launching our “Respect the Red” campaign to support safer cycling and drive behaviour change.’
