Regent’s Park Cyclists to help police in campaign aimed at those riding without lights

Today sees the launch of a new visibility campaign involving Regent’s Park Cyclists and Royal Parks Police. The campaign is aimed at educating cyclists who commute through Regent’s Park on the importance of having lights on their bike and being visible to other road users.

Those stopped while riding without lights will be given a warning by the police (but not a formal caution) and their details will be taken. If they are stopped a second time, they will be handed a £60 penalty notice.

A member of Regent’s Park Cyclists will accompany each police officer. They will be there to emphasise the importance of being visible and to give recommendations on lights and shops where lights can be bought. Free lights and discount codes will also be handed out where possible.

• Cyclists who train at Regent's Park fighting against planned speed bumps on Outer Circle

Writing on their Facebook page, Regent’s Park Cyclists say: “As cyclists who regularly ride in the Park we know that RP is poorly lit (partly because of heritage constraints on street lights) and therefore having good lights and wearing reflective clothing whilst riding in the park is particularly important.”

The campaign will run today, Wednesday and Thursday this week and then at dates to be determined by the availability of police officers, up until Christmas.

The aim of Regent’s Park Cyclists is to promote all types of cycling within the park, encouraging responsible cycling and continued development of the area in line with best practice of other major urban parks.

After becoming aware that red light jumping was a concern to local residents and other users of the park earlier this year, the organisation launched its Stop Means Stop campaign. During the campaign, members of the group designed a logo and campaigned regularly, handing out flyers to cyclists and collecting data on the number and profile of red light jumpers. They claim the work carried out led to a drop in red light jumping from 30 per cent in early July to less than five per cent at the end of August.