The London Question: Why is London suddenly full of cyclists charging at pedestrians?

London: You see it everywhere now—cyclists zooming through red lights and ignoring pedestrian crossings like they don’t even exist. Just the other day, a friend of mine saw two cyclists collide after both ran the lights. It was a bit satisfying to see a pedestrian give them a piece of their mind.

This whole thing hits home for me because a couple of months back, I got knocked down by a cyclist while crossing at Ludgate Hill. I was focused on the pedestrian countdown and didn’t even think to check for cyclists. The guy fell off his bike, and other cyclists around were furious with him. They even offered to be witnesses for me, which was nice.

There’s definitely been a rise in these pedestrian-cyclist accidents. I could’ve pursued a personal injury claim, but honestly, when you’re shaken up, you just want to get away. So, I told him quietly not to do it again, adding to the countless pedestrians whose accidents go unreported because it’s just too much hassle. But even with so many unrecorded cases, the numbers are still climbing.

From 2020 to 2022, pedestrian injuries from cyclists in the UK shot up by a third, with 462 collisions reported in 2022 alone. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg since it doesn’t include those hurt in public spaces. With all the hire bikes around, it feels like the situation has only gotten worse.

If a cyclist seriously injures someone, they could face up to two years in jail for reckless riding. In theory, they could even be charged with involuntary manslaughter. But let’s be real; many cyclists don’t stick around after an accident, even though the guy who knocked me down was decent enough to help me up.

This issue isn’t getting the attention it deserves. Last year, Chris Boardman, the Government’s Active Travel Commissioner, dismissed calls for stricter laws, saying there are more deaths from lightning and cows than from cyclists. Sure, fatalities are one thing, but injuries tell a different story. And trust me, I’m not underestimating the fear of being chased by cows!

In London, the focus seems to be more on car-related injuries than on those caused by cyclists. In 2023, cyclists were involved in 7% of serious pedestrian injuries, but I’d bet that’s a huge underestimate.

Many cyclists who follow the rules are just as frustrated. They lose precious time waiting at red lights while others zoom past. And let’s not forget that pedestrians can cause accidents too; a friend of mine got hurt when someone stepped right in front of him without looking. The key is mutual respect on the road.

The mindset of reckless cyclists is pretty clear. They’re so aware of their vulnerability to cars that they think they can bend the rules. But they forget that pedestrians are just as vulnerable. Many cyclists are in a rush, and I see them running red lights daily. But those rules apply to everyone, whether you’re on two wheels or four.

There are already penalties for cyclists who break the rules, but have you ever seen one pulled over like a speeding car? If the police really wanted to tackle this, they could just hang out at busy junctions. I bet they’d see some jaw-dropping behavior in no time.

The City of London has a Cycle Response Unit to tackle road offenses, which is a great idea. Police on bikes can move quickly and respond better than those in cars. We need more of that, and they should deal with offenders right away. I’d even suggest confiscating bikes from those who run red lights, especially hire bikes, with fines based on the rental info.

We really need to address the issue of reckless cyclists. A useful mode of transport shouldn’t be taken over by those who ride like maniacs.

Melanie McDonagh is a London Standard columnist