Britons have been warned of new traffic rules introduced in Regent's Park, which force cyclists to stop at red lights for the first time.
Under the new measures, police will be able to fine cyclists £50 on the spot if they ignore new signal-controlled pedestrian crossings being installed on the Outer Circle, a 2.7-mile road used daily by roughly 62,000 riders, runners and walkers.
Construction began this week on three crossings at Monkey Hill Gate, Chester Gate and Kent Passage, and is being carried out by The Royal Parks charity and the Crown Estate Paving Commission.
While cars on the Outer Circle are restricted to 20mph, bicycles are not subject to any speed limit, which has prompted concerns about accidents.
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Campaigners and park users have long warned that the lack of controls has led to dangerous behaviour, particularly at crossing points where pedestrians must step into the road.
In June 2022, 81-year-old Hilda Griffiths was killed after being struck by a cyclist while crossing the Outer Circle with her dog. No prosecution followed her death.
In May 2024, another woman in her 50s was seriously injured after being hit by a cyclist on the same stretch of road, again while walking her dog.
Park authorities said the new traffic lights are designed to prevent further tragedies and reduce conflict between cyclists and pedestrians.
Cyclists can be slapped with £50 for breaking the new traffic rules
| GETTYThe Royal Parks previously asked the American fitness app Strava to remove the Outer Circle as a timed "segment" from its platform.
Strava allows runners and cyclists to compete for the fastest times on popular routes, encouraging high speeds, but the company has refused the request.
Nearly three-quarters of London pedestrians said they had either witnessed or personally experienced a near miss or collision involving a cyclist.
The same proportion said cyclists riding without due care and attention was their main concern when walking. A further 86 per cent said the 20mph speed limit should apply to cyclists as well as motor vehicles.
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The new traffic lights for cyclists hope to promote safer road travel for pedestrians
| PAIn April 2025, The Royal Parks launched a campaign urging cyclists to show more consideration in shared green spaces.
The campaign introduced a code of conduct asking riders to manage their speed, respect others and follow park rules, whether cycling for commuting, leisure or training.
New warning signs were installed in high-traffic areas, and an online hub was created to give guidance on cycling responsibly in Royal Parks.
Darren Share, Director of Parks at The Royal Parks charity, said: "These wonderful urban green spaces are incredibly important to so many people, but we all need to remember that they are shared spaces meant for everyone, and we must all play our part.
The Royal Parks charity manages 5,000 acres of green spaces, including Hyde Park and Regent's Park
| PA"The installation of new, signalised pedestrian crossings on the Outer Circle is an important step in improving safety and helping people move around the park with greater confidence."
Mr Share added that practical changes, alongside encouraging people to slow down, would help reduce tension between cyclists and pedestrians.
Cycling UK has welcomed the crossings but warned against focusing solely on cyclists. Sarah McMonagle, the charity's director of external affairs, said: "Our parks and green spaces are for everyone to enjoy safely, regardless of whether we're riding a bike or on foot."
She said motor vehicles still pose the greatest danger to pedestrians and called for wider action on road safety.