Royal Parks to crack down on speeding and ‘reckless’ cyclists

The Royal Parks is to crack down on speeding cyclists with new warning signs and the threat of fines for “reckless” cycling.

It is updating its speed limit signs to make it clear to cyclists that they are expected to observe the same 5mph to 20mph speed limits as motorists.

In a statement to The Telegraph, the Royal Parks accepted there was no official speed limit for cycling on Britain’s roads as cyclists were not required to have a speedometer.

But it said cyclists were asked to observe the motor vehicle speed limit for the “park, road or path in question”.

It added that it was a criminal offence under royal park regulations to “intentionally or recklessly interfere with the safety, comfort or convenience of other visitors.”

According to the Metropolitan Police, whose officers enforce the regulations, this includes “those cycling dangerously or recklessly at speed”.

The fines for any caught by police cycling at dangerous speeds are expected to be in line with the £60 penalties for cyclists who stray outside designated areas, which are also covered by Royal Park regulations.

Source of contention

Walkers and motorists have claimed there are a growing number of people cycling at high speeds in Royal Parks who are putting other park users at risk.

It has been a particular source of contention at Richmond Park in south London where hundreds of cyclists flock, particularly at weekends, with some travelling at high speeds, leading to reports of riders narrowly missing or even colliding with pedestrians.

The row has seen angry arguments on social media between cyclists and other park users. One walker, Gary Matharu, complained on Twitter about “cyclists racing as if their life depends on it”.

Another complained that “every road and path on Richmond Park is dangerous due to the high number of idiots who think they’re elite athletes . . . and then try to break some imaginary cycling land speed record regardless of conditions or pedestrians”.

A London Taxi driver said: “I’ve lived near Richmond Park for most of my life. It’s now been basically taken over by sports cyclists training who regard anyone else on the road in there as an unwelcome irritant.”

Earlier this week, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, floated the prospect of new laws to force cyclists to abide by the 20mph speed limits and face penalty points or fines for breaking them.

He said he wanted to close a loophole that allowed cyclists to break speed limits and even overtake cars in low-speed zones that are spreading across Britain.

‘An issue of concern’

A spokesman for the Royal Parks said: “The Royal Parks is currently reviewing and updating its regulatory signage to ensure cycling and other behavioural messages are communicated clearly to visitors.

“We are reviewing our signage, and we are currently planning how we can revise it, to deliver clearer and more visible information. Enforcement of park regulations is a matter for the Metropolitan Police Service.”

In a statement to Richmond Park cyclists, the Met Police said: “We acknowledge that while most visitors who cycle in the park are law-abiding, a small minority are not and their behaviour is an issue of concern for the wider public as well as other cyclists.

“We work closely with The Royal Parks as we enforce safe cycling across the parks, so all visitors and wildlife can enjoy the parks safely. To this end, we recommend that cyclists use the signposted limits as a guide for appropriate speeds.”