Watch: Study finds more than half of cyclists jump red lights at busy London junction

Rush-hour traffic counts near St Thomas’ Hospital found hundreds weaving between pedestrians on pavements and riding in the wrong direction

More than half of all cyclists jump red lights at a pedestrian crossing outside one of London’s busiest hospitals, a Telegraph study has found.
Two rush-hour traffic counts on Westminster Bridge Road near St Thomas’ Hospital found hundreds of cyclists weaving between pedestrians on pavements and riding in the wrong direction.
The worst incidents included a teenage cyclist mounting the pavement screeching to a halt just inches from two children, while other cyclists were reading mobile phone messages, riding without holding the handlebars, or performing wheelies.
Many pedestrians using the crossing on the bridge over the River Thames were elderly or had limited mobility and were visiting the hospital.
Families of pedestrians killed following collisions with cyclists said the footage should encourage ministers to back commitments to introduce tougher new laws to protect the most vulnerable road users from cyclists who flout road rules.
The study comes just two weeks before the House of Lords will hold a debate on “safety and regulation issues involved in the use of pedal cycles on the road network”.
The Telegraph conducted a two-hour count from 7.45am for the morning rush hour into central London, and then another two hours from 5pm out of the city.
In total,1,032 cyclists were required to stop at red lights outside St Thomas’ Hospital after pedestrians had pushed a button requesting traffic stop to let them cross safely on Aug 29.
A total of 559 cyclists – 302 in the morning and 257 in the evening – ignored the lights.
That means 54.2 per cent failed to stop, with cyclists slightly more likely to flout rules in the morning when many were travelling to work. Forty-eight cyclists avoided red lights by riding on the pavement.
Four pedal-powered pedicabs – also known as tuk-tuks or rickshaws used by tourists – shot red lights, with one driving on the wrong side of the road. A few e-scooters ignored lights and travelled in the wrong direction.
The presence of cameras and the count appeared to encourage some to obey rules.
While no cars ignored traffic lights, two sightseeing tour buses went through red lights.
Families of those killed in collisions with cyclists are calling for cyclists to be treated the same in law as motorists.
Gerard Griffiths, whose mother, Hilda, 81, died after a collision with cyclist Brian Fitzgerald, who was travelling up to 29mph in a 20mph zone in Regent’s Park, said: “Thankfully there were no collisions during this Telegraph study, but when so many ride in such a way it is only a matter of time before more collisions cause serious injuries and deaths.
“Attitudes need to change and cyclists who ride with impunity need to be held accountable.”
Christine White, whose father, Jim Blackwood, 91, was killed in Kent after being hit by an e-cyclist on the pavement, said: “There is an extremely selfish cycling element who don’t care where they cycle, as long as they get to where they are going and damn everyone else.”
Matt Briggs, who has campaigned for a law change since his wife Kim was killed in 2016 by a cyclist on a bike without front brakes, said: “Unlike the equivalent offences for motorists, had one of these cyclists injured or killed a pedestrian, the Crown Prosecution Service would have no functioning laws with which to prosecute them.
“During the election campaign, Labour gave a commitment to bringing forward new laws of causing death or serious injury by means of dangerous or careless cycling with equivalent penalties to those which motorists face.”
The current legal loophole means cyclists who kill while riding dangerously can only be jailed for a maximum of two years for “wanton or furious driving”. A manslaughter charge is available, but juries are unlikely to opt for it while the lesser charge is available.
In May, MPs from all parties unanimously passed an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which would have seen tougher new laws introduced to target illegal cycling. But the Bill was lost after the election was called.
Mr Briggs added: “We look forward to the new government acting on their commitment to finally regulate cycling with these simple, effective and meaningful laws.”
Sarah Gayton, of the National Federation of the Blind of the UK who has filmed on the bridge, said: “Blind and visually impaired people cannot jump out of the way and are at risk of being hit or having their guide dog frightened due to this reckless behaviour.
“Either cyclists don’t care or they think they are above the law.”