Speeding Cyclists Unpunished on UK Roads

An alarming number of cyclists and e-scooter riders are reportedly breaking speed limits on Britain's roads without consequence. Since 2023, speed cameras have collectively registered nearly 1,200 instances of these vehicles exceeding speed limits, including over 220 bicycles caught traveling above 30mph. Police forces acknowledge they are unable to take action because bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters lack the identifiable markings necessary for tracking offenders.

This lack of accountability is occurring while incidents of pedestrians being injured by cyclists are on the rise, with a recorded 18.9% increase in such collisions in 2024 compared to the previous year. Legal experts and campaigners are demanding a review of current regulations, suggesting mandatory registration plates or similar identification for bicycles and e-scooters to align them with rules for motorists, who are taxed and insured for road use.

Some police forces, like Lancashire Constabulary, noted hundreds of speed camera activations by cyclists, but were unable to trace owners. Leicestershire Police recorded 287 offenses by bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters, while Devon and Cornwall Police clocked 668 e-bikes and e-scooters speeding. These figures are considered incomplete, as only five out of 43 police forces provided data.

Experts argue that introducing a registration system is crucial for rider accountability, especially since many riders do not stop after accidents. The Department for Transport stated that while a registration scheme for bicycles is not under consideration, new laws for e-scooters might include registration, and police already possess powers to address dangerous cycling.