More Than Two Thirds of Cyclists Ignore Red Lights and Speed Through Pedestrian Crossings on Regent’s Park Outer Circle in Westminster

A troubling pattern has emerged on Regent’s Park Outer Circle in Westminster, where newly installed traffic lights intended to protect pedestrians are being widely ignored by cyclists.

Investigations by the Daily Mail found that two-thirds of riders fail to stop at red signals, raising serious safety concerns, especially following the death of 81-year-old Hilda Griffiths.

Dangerous Cycling Culture Highlighted

Hilda Griffiths tragically lost her life while crossing the Outer Circle with her dog Oscar.

The incident occurred in the same 20mph zone that now sees many cyclists, including club riders in full lycra, speeding past pedestrians and ignoring traffic signals.

Observers noted that riders often loop repeatedly around the park, attempting to improve lap times via apps like Strava, treating the park more like a racetrack than a shared public space.

New Crossings and Fines

The Royal Parks introduced three new signal-controlled crossings to increase pedestrian safety.

However, enforcement remains inconsistent.

Cyclists and motorists face the same £50 fine if caught running a red light, yet the Daily Mail found no police present during its hour-long study, leaving many rule-breakers unpunished.

One motorist was also observed ignoring the red signal, though the majority of violations involved cyclists weaving through pedestrians or squeezing through gaps.

Residents report that riders frequently speed beyond the 20mph limit and fail to respect others sharing the road.

Families and Pedestrians Speak Out

Hilda Griffiths’s son, Gerard, criticized the cycling culture around the park, saying it treats the Outer Circle like a racetrack.

He reflected on the tragedy, noting how his mother had every intention to return home safely.

Other pedestrians have voiced similar concerns.

Diana Arnuti, carrying her nine-month-old daughter, said she fears crossing the road as cyclists often yell at her to “move” or push past at high speeds.

Retired resident David Viana, 62, described seeing riders run red lights repeatedly while traveling at “outrageous speeds,” casting doubt on whether the new crossings will meaningfully improve safety.

Past Incidents Show a Pattern

This isn’t an isolated issue. In May 2024, Paola Des Santos, 53, was struck by a club cyclist at the same spot where Griffiths was killed, sustaining multiple facial fractures.

The rider, a member of the Muswell Hill Peloton, was fined £500 and ordered to pay £2,500 in compensation.

A Freedom of Information request in 2025 revealed that across London’s eight Royal Parks, cyclists were more likely to hit pedestrians than motorists.

Between January 2024 and April 2025, nine pedestrians were struck by cyclists, while no pedestrians were hit by cars in the parks.

Royal Parks Response

The Royal Parks has introduced a code of conduct for cyclists, emphasizing respect for other park users and speed control.

Spokespeople expressed disappointment at continued rule-breaking on the Outer Circle, stating:

“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.

We are trying to create a safe and inclusive environment that respects the interests of everyone using the park.”

Attempts to have Strava remove the Outer Circle from its app were refused, leaving the route popular among competitive cyclists despite safety concerns.

What’s Next?

• Increased enforcement: Authorities may step up monitoring of red-light crossings and apply fines more consistently.

• Additional crossings: Two more signal-controlled crossings are planned at Chester Gate and Monkey Hill Gate, aiming to improve pedestrian safety further.

• Cultural shift: Educating cyclists on park etiquette and safe riding practices will be crucial to preventing future tragedies.

• Policy review: Continued evaluation of speed limits, signal timing, and potential technology solutions (e.g., cameras) to deter red-light running may be considered.

Summary

Despite the introduction of new traffic signals, Regent’s Park Outer Circle remains dangerous for pedestrians.

Over two-thirds of cyclists ignore red lights, speeding past pedestrians and treating the park as a competitive racetrack.

Following the deaths and injuries of Hilda Griffiths and Paola Des Santos, residents and families are calling for stricter enforcement, cultural change among cyclists, and increased measures from the Royal Parks to ensure safety for all park users.