LONDON, UK — Cyclists and e-bike riders in the capital are increasingly facing the full force of the law, with many receiving criminal convictions and fines in excess of £400 for breaching traffic regulations, particularly for running red lights.
In a series of recent cases, riders across London were prosecuted under the Single Justice Procedure — a streamlined legal process allowing magistrates to rule on offences without a formal court hearing. This comes as both the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police intensify their crackdown on cycling offences, deploying officers on bikes to patrol busy intersections and junctions.
The call for action follows the tragic death of a pedestrian after a collision with an e-bike rider in west London earlier this week. The incident has reignited public concern around the safety risks posed by speeding cyclists and e-bike users, especially when disregarding traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
Court records show a growing number of cyclists facing criminal prosecution for running red lights, with penalties typically exceeding £400 once fines, costs, and victim surcharges are tallied.
In the past week alone, magistrates handed down more than £4,000 in fines and costs to cyclists found guilty of traffic violations.
Among the offenders was Frankie Spence, 22, who was caught riding a Lime bike through a red light on Bishopsgate. Despite her insistence that “the light was just changing”, she failed to complete a fixed penalty course and was prosecuted. She was fined £220 and ordered to pay £110 in costs and an £88 victim surcharge.
Similarly, Olumide Ojuade, 27, was found to have ignored a red signal on Lower Thames Street, riding around a waiting cyclist and proceeding through the junction unlawfully. He too was fined £220, plus £198 in costs and surcharges.
E-bike rider Wojtynski Beniamin was stopped after passing several cyclists and a red light at Elephant and Castle. Without offering an excuse, he was issued the standard £418 penalty.
In another case, Adlan Hajo, 28, was identified using a fingerprint scanner after running a red light near a pelican crossing. He was fined the same amount after police confirmed he had no identification on him at the scene.
Assaf Fahad, 26, claimed he believed the light was amber when he cycled through a red at Westminster Bridge. PC Robert Slociak noted there were still three seconds on the pedestrian countdown and people were crossing at the time. Fahad was fined £220, with reduced costs of £100, plus an £88 surcharge.
PC John Moody of the Met’s Cycle Safety Team also stopped Anthony Cahill of Tower Hamlets for running a red light on Whitechapel Road. Cahill offered no sensible reply and was fined £418.
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Later the same day, Moody stopped Grace Mouat, 29, on Newington Causeway after she went through two red lights in rapid succession. She declined an out-of-court option and received a £358 penalty.
Food delivery rider Narcis Diaconu was prosecuted for riding through a red light and cycling on the pavement while approaching a restaurant to collect an order. He received a reduced fine of £120, plus £100 costs and a £48 surcharge.
All prosecutions were decided under the Single Justice Procedure, using written statements submitted by police officers. Defendants were given opportunities to respond online or by post, with penalties issued by magistrates sitting in private.
The message from London’s police forces is now clear: whether you’re commuting, delivering, or simply out for a ride, red means stop — or risk prosecution, a criminal record, and a hefty financial penalty.
