Red Light Recklessness: Cyclists Flout Rules on Regent’s Park’s Outer Circle, Prompting Safety Concerns
A stark reality has emerged on Regent’s Park’s Outer Circle, a popular 2.7-mile loop in Westminster, where a significant majority of cyclists are disregarding newly installed traffic signals. An investigation revealed that two-thirds of cyclists are brazenly running red lights, a dangerous practice that has intensified after a tragic accident claimed the life of an elderly nurse.
During a morning observation at one of the three new red-light crossings, researchers witnessed a disturbing trend. Out of 75 cyclists encountering a red signal, a mere 25 adhered to the law. The remaining 50 riders, a staggering 66.7 percent, chose to ignore the stop signs. Their disregard manifested in various ways, including weaving through pedestrians already on the crossing or waiting for opportune gaps to surge through.
This particular crossing point is tragically associated with the death of 81-year-old Hilda Griffiths, a former nurse who was struck and killed while crossing the road with her dog. During the investigation, many cyclists, including those clad in full cycling attire, were observed travelling at speeds that appeared to exceed the 20mph limit. These riders often repeated their offenses, looping around the park and flouting the rules multiple times.
The introduction of these three new traffic light crossings by The Royal Parks was a direct response to escalating concerns about pedestrian safety. The Outer Circle had increasingly become a de facto racetrack for club cyclists, who were reportedly using fitness tracking apps like Strava to compete for the fastest lap times. Both cyclists and motorists face an on-the-spot fine of £50 if caught by police running a red light.
During the period of observation at the Kent Passage crossing, no police presence was noted, and consequently, no fines were issued. The disregard for the red light was not limited to cyclists; at least one motorist was also observed driving through the red signal.
The safety of park visitors has been a paramount concern since the fatal incident involving Mrs. Griffiths. She was struck by Brian Fitzgerald, a director at Credit Suisse and a member of the Muswell Hill Peloton cycling club, who was travelling at approximately 29mph in the 20mph zone. Mrs. Griffiths was crossing the road with her dog, Oscar, at the time of the collision.
However, a legal loophole meant Mr. Fitzgerald could not be prosecuted by the police. The absence of specific criminal legislation applicable to cyclists who speed left authorities unable to bring charges.
A “Racetrack” Culture: Voices of Concern
The sentiment that Regent’s Park’s Outer Circle has transformed into a dangerous playground for cyclists is echoed by Mrs. Griffiths’s son, Gerard. The 53-year-old caretaker described the situation as deeply distressing, stating that cyclists are treating the road like a “racetrack” rather than a shared public space.
“It is not a racetrack or a playground; the playground is inside the park and that is for children,” Gerard Griffiths asserted. He questioned how cyclists would feel if a family member was crossing the road and was met with shouts to “get out of the way.” He poignantly added, “My mother had every intention to come home. When I went to fetch the dog after she was hit, her breakfast was laid out on the table. She was ready to come back.”
Gerard believes The Royal Parks have made commendable efforts to enhance pedestrian safety through the installation of traffic lights. However, he stresses that the responsibility now shifts to public authorities to enforce the fines and, crucially, for cyclists to fundamentally alter their “attitude” towards their hobby.
He expressed his frustration with the prevailing attitude within some cycling communities, noting, “In any other tragedy or subject, one death is always one too many. Whereas from the cycling side of things, they use an analogy like more people get struck by lightning or killed by cows. It cheapens people’s lives.” He concluded with a powerful statement: “My mother wasn’t just killed by a cyclist. She was killed by the culture of cycling around Regent’s Park.”
More Victims, Persistent Danger
The tragic consequences of this cycling culture are not isolated. Paola Des Santos, a mother of three, was struck in the exact same location as Mrs. Griffiths by a peloton cyclist. The incident left her with severe injuries, including multiple fractures to her eye socket, jawbone, and cheekbone.
Matthew Thornley, 45, a member of Club Peloton, was reportedly lapping the park when he attempted to overtake a car and collided with Ms. Des Santos in May 2024. Thornley, from Camden, London, was subsequently fined £500 and ordered to pay £2,500 in compensation after admitting to reckless riding. Despite the admission, he denied speeding and claimed he was forced to take an “evasive manoeuvre.”
During the investigation, multiple instances of reckless cycling were observed. Some cyclists were seen running red lights while distracted by their mobile phones. Others cut off motorists by abruptly slipping in front of them, or sped through red lights while motorists’ vehicles obstructed their view of pedestrians who might be crossing.
Club cyclists were frequently seen in tight-knit groups of two to five, often with their heads down, presumably for aerodynamic advantage in their pursuit of faster times.
Residents’ Fears and Doubts About Effectiveness
Local residents have voiced their growing apprehension. Diana Arnuti, a 42-year-old mother of nine-month-old Victoria, expressed feeling threatened by cyclists who, in her view, “do not respect pedestrians.”
“I am scared of carrying my baby as I cross the road,” she stated. “Cyclists yell ‘move’ and ‘go,’ I face a lot of trouble when crossing the road.”
This sentiment is shared by David Viana, a 62-year-old retired financial services professional who frequently walks in the park. Mr. Viana observed that cyclists “repeatedly ignore the red lights” and travel at “outrageous speeds.” He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the new crossings, remarking, “The extent I have walked around the park here, I don’t see that the crossings have made any great difference. I have crossed the road on a red light and cyclists speed past me.”
Efforts and Refusals: A Standoff
In April of the previous year, The Royal Parks implemented a code of conduct for cyclists, urging them to “respect all park visitors” and “control their speed.” In an attempt to curb the competitive racing culture, the charity also requested that Strava remove the Outer Circle from its app. However, the US-based company reportedly refused this request.
An anonymous resident described the Outer Circle’s popularity as leading cyclists to treat it as a “sprint.” They lamented the infrequency of police patrols, which they believe contributes to cyclists’ disregard for speed limits and red lights. “I have nearly been hit because cyclists go too fast and run through red light,” the resident said. “The cyclists treat this like their sprint and it is so upsetting that this was the cause of Hilda’s death.”
A Freedom of Information request submitted in 2025 revealed a concerning trend: cyclists were more likely to strike and injure pedestrians than motorists in London’s eight Royal Parks. Between January 2024 and April 2025, nine pedestrians were hit by cyclists across these parks, according to reports. In stark contrast, no pedestrians were struck by cars, and only two near misses involving vehicles were documented in accident logs held by The Royal Parks.
The other two signal-controlled crossings are slated for installation at Chester Gate and Monkey Hill Gate.
A spokesperson for The Royal Parks expressed disappointment: “We are disappointed to see that many cyclists on the Outer Circle are riding at speed and are breaking the law by cycling straight through red lights. We understand that people like to cycle for exercise, but this is a park environment which is enjoyed by pedestrians as well as road users and we are trying to create a safe and inclusive environment that respects the interests of everyone using the park.”
