Cambridge: Cyclists Breaking The Law

14 December 2012, 13:47 | Updated: 14 December 2012, 13:53

Cambridgeshire Police are starting a focus on catching cyclists breaking the law in Cambridge.

The force says it's 'to make Cambridge safer for all road users and clamp down on crime.'

Extra regular and plain clothed officers are being sent out onto the city's streets to look out for cyclists riding on pavements, running red lights and riding without lights.

Areas including Market Street, Sidney Street, Downing Street, Regent Street, Drummer Street, St Andrew's Street, Arbury Road, Mill Road, Hills Road and Elizabeth Way bridge will be targeted during the operation, which starts today (Friday).

Last month 185 cyclists in Cambridge were fined for cycling during darkness without lights.

Many were given the opportunity to purchase lights within seven days to avoid paying the fine.

This scheme, called 'Lights Instead of Tickets', will continue to run during the latest police crackdown.

Chief Inspector Nick Church said: "This operation is about educating cyclists as well as enforcing the law.

There is a lot of dangerous cycling within Cambridge and our aim is to tackle this problem and reduce the number of collisions.

Cyclists stopped without lights will be given the option of participating in the LIT scheme, inconsiderate and dangerous cycling will not be tolerated.

We want to make the streets of Cambridge a safe place for all road users and pedestrians."