One in four rental e-bike users has been found to breach major traffic rules in the UK by failing to stop at red traffic lights and travel on pavements.
New research revealed that 25 per cent of the e-bike riders were caught travelling through traffic lights, putting fellow road users at risk.
The extensive study monitored over 44,000 individuals at 80 major junctions throughout London, Manchester and Glasgow during August's peak travel periods.
It revealed that 19 per cent of pedal cyclists also travelled through red lights, alongside 22 per cent of food delivery riders.
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One in four e-bike riders has travelled through red lights in the UK
|GETTY
Shockingly, the research revealed that nine per cent of food delivery riders were caught riding on the pavement instead of the road, with six per cent shockingly travelling against the flow of traffic.
The findings emerge as schools reopen and traffic volumes increase, prompting road safety experts to warn about heightened risks at junctions, where 41 per cent of all serious cyclist injuries occur at or within 20 metres of intersections.
The research found that e-bike users showed poor compliance with traffic rules alongside normal cyclists and highlighted key junctions where breaches were most likely to occur.
Junctions along Victoria Road and Calder Street in Glasgow recorded the highest violation rate at 54 per cent of cyclists failing to stop at red lights, while Oxford Circus in London followed closely with half of all cyclists ignoring the signals.
Cyclists have been recorded travelling through red lights across the UK
| GETTYThe Holloway Road and Drayton Park intersection in London saw 46 per cent of riders jumping red lights, while Duke Street and Bellgrove Street in Glasgow recorded 45 per cent disobedience.
Meanwhile, both Regent Street and Marlborough Street in London, and Deansgate at John Dalton Street in Manchester showed 43 per cent non-compliance rates.
The intersection of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road in London witnessed over 200 cyclist violations within just 40 minutes of observation, highlighting the scale of the problem at busy central London locations.
Cyclists can receive a £50 fine for running red lights, but this can also lead to criminal prosecution and larger fines of up to £400 in certain areas like the City of London, especially in cases involving e-bikes or dangerous behaviour.
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Motorists displayed their own dangerous habits, with eight per cent observed being distracted while waiting at red lights through activities including mobile phone use, eating, drinking, smoking and vaping.
Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, said: "There is a worrying new trend developing of people simply not respecting the rules of the road, especially at junctions and traffic lights, which is putting the recent reduction in deaths and serious injuries for cyclists on the roads in danger.
"This is dangerous for all road users, but especially pedestrians and cyclists, for whom an accident, even at relatively low speed, can be life-changing. Running that red light or checking your phone is just not worth it, ever."
Rod Dennis, the RAC's road safety spokesperson, expressed alarm at the findings and warned that, given red traffic lights are "one of, if not the most important of all signals, it's disturbing to see so many road users ignoring them".
E-bike riders can face prosecution for failing to follow traffic rules | PA"By running a red light, you're putting yourself and others into huge danger, and the potential consequences mean it's never worth it," he said.
Rental company Lime has responded by launching billboard advertisements at major intersections and commuter routes, reminding users that ignoring traffic signals is illegal.
Mr Brooker added: "As kids go back to school and the roads get even busier, it's vital to remember that these rules are in place to keep us safe, not just to slow down the school run or morning commute.
"This research is not designed to attack cyclists, pedestrians or drivers; we are simply keen to highlight how a minority of these road users are putting themselves and others in serious danger."