Cambridge cyclists branded 'reckless' by taxi drivers after jumping red lights in front of police A cyclist was caught going through a red light in Cambridge – in front of a police car and outside the city's courts as some taxi drivers slam the "reckless behaviour" of riders.
The cyclist was stopped by police and fined after he jumped the traffic lights at the junction of New Street and Sturton Street, near Cambridge Crown Court.
A police patrol car was waiting at the lights when the cyclist flouted the law and he was given a ticket - offering no excuse to officers.
The latest example of riders ignoring red lights has led some taxi drivers in the city to brand cyclists in Cambridge "out-of-control" and to praise drivers.
A cyclist was filmed recently jumping a red light in Histon on the approach to the A14 roundabout.
Paul Bradley, general secretary of Cambridge Hackney Carriage Association, which represents hundreds of taxi drivers, said: "Cyclists' reckless illegal behaviour in this city has been ignored for years which is why it is such a massive problem now. I've seen cyclists breaking every road law in front of police whom are either just standing on the street and in their cars.
"There was a cyclist with no lights who jumped a red light on Mitcham's Corner causing the police car to emergency brake. The police sad and did nothing and carried on. The authorities have to take this seriously as hundreds at night are putting themselves and others at risk, and while drivers can break the law they often get penalised.
"It has to be said, I think Cambridge drivers should be commended for the low accident and fatality rate considering the out of control behaviour by a large amount of cyclists."
The incident near the Crown Court happened at 9.05am on September 29 and the cyclist was fined.
Police tweeted the ticket was "issued to a cyclist after they cycled through a red traffic light in front of Q-ing traffic & a police car".
A police spokesman added: "He didn't give any excuse for his actions."
Now dangerous cyclists in Cambridge could face the same option given to motorists caught speeding.
Red light jumping riders, would be given a choice between taking a 'Cycling Discretionary Scheme' course or being fined.
The scheme could be introduced because of the high number of foreign students in the city who may not know the rules of the road.
Hundreds of cyclists are caught every winter riding without lights in the city and more than 40 cyclists were stopped by police in "just" two days in October last year for jumping red lights on Hills Road with most saying they were "late for work".
A police spokesman defended the force.
He said: "Cycle-related incidents and crimes are taken seriously. When there is sufficient evidence, officers do report cyclists for disobeying red lights."
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