London Lime cyclists have been recorded skipping a red light at a pedestrian crossing 84 times in one hour.
One image has even shown a man holding his phone with one hand, as he grips the bike’s handlebars with another as he cycled straight through the red lights, taken by a photographer for The Times.
After a horrific video of a Lime biker cycling straight into a child in Elephant and Castle in South London, there has been serious concern surrounding the safety of Lime’s users across the capital.
Lime bikes are able to be rented through an app through much of Central London and, after use, can be left anywhere as long as users upload a photo of their location.
Lime bikes are able to be rented through an app through much of central London and, after use, can be left anywhere as long as users upload a photo of their location
PA
In October, dashcam provider Nextbase commissioned research into individuals’ behaviour at red lights after a reported increase in law-breaking.
Researchers at 80 London junctions recorded people’s road behaviour – of 12,500 separate individuals.
The findings have highlighted that 41 per cent of e-scooter users swoop through redlights, and 28 per cent of pedal cyclists had the same disregard for the law.
However, 11 per cent of motorists also drove straight through red lights – with 4 per cent on their phones at the same time.
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The research found that the borough of Elephant and Castle – where the Lime biker user hit a child – was the worst for poorly behaved road users, as a mere 6.5 per cent of cyclists or e-scooters paused at the red traffic light between Streatham High Road and Greyhound Lane.
Head of road safety at Nextbase Bryn Brooker said: “Junctions can be very dangerous places and must be treated with respect.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a driver, a cyclist, or on an e-scooter, running the red light is illegal and puts you and others in danger.
“Hitting a pedestrian will be life-changing for both you and the victim, and you could easily be hit by traffic coming from another direction. It’s just not worth it, ever.”
The research found that the borough of Elephant and Castle was the worst for poorly behaved road users
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Insisting that the research’s purpose was not to launch an attack on non-motorists, Brooker added: “We are simply keen to highlight how a minority of these road users are putting themselves in serious danger.”
A Lime spokesman said: “Cyclists running red lights not only endanger themselves and others, but also undermine public confidence in cycling as a safe, sustainable mode of transport.
“Through regular rider communications, training programmes and penalties for dangerous behaviour, we work to educate riders and encourage safer cycling on our roads. We take our role in London’s cycling community seriously and we’re committed to promoting responsible and safe riding practices in-app and in-person.”
The spokesperson said that Lime was “shocked” to see the incident between an e-bike user and a child near Elephant and Castle, saying that they “hope the individuals involved are OK.”