Rental E-Bike Riders Most Likely to Run Red Lights, UK Study Finds
Last Updated on September 5, 2025 by Kristina
Red means stop. But for many riders in the UK’s busiest cities, the message isn’t sinking in.
A major study observed more than 7,500 cyclists, 11,000 pedestrians, and 26,000 cars at 80 junctions in London, Manchester, and Glasgow last month. The findings show that red lights are routinely ignored — sometimes by half of all riders passing through.
The Numbers at a Glance
- At the worst junction in Glasgow, 54% of cyclists and e-scooter riders ran the red.
- At Oxford Circus, London, it was 50%.
- In Manchester, the Deansgate and John Dalton Street junction saw 43% of riders jump the lights.
- Portland Street and Piccadilly Gardens came close at 42%, followed by Alan Turing Way and Ashton Old Road at 39%.
- In London, Holloway Road and Drayton Park clocked in at 46%, while Duke Street and Bellgrove Street in Glasgow recorded 45%.
Who Breaks the Rules Most
The study singled out rental e-bike riders as the worst offenders: 25% were caught ignoring traffic signals. Food delivery riders, who are often paid per drop, followed at 22%.
For context, jumping a red light can land cyclists and e-bike riders with a £50 fine. If the case reaches court and involves dangerous cycling, the penalty can rise to £2,500.
Other Road Users Aren’t Innocent
It’s not just riders. Pedestrians were caught too: 36% crossed before the green man, and at one junction in Glasgow (Clyde Street and Broomielaw), an eye-watering 93% did so.
Drivers also slipped up. 8% were spotted distracted at red lights, using their phones, eating, drinking, smoking, or vaping.
Experts Sound the Alarm
Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, the camera company behind the study, said:
“It’s clear too many of us are treating simple traffic laws as optional, with a total lack of respect for the rules that are there to make the roads safer for everyone. People may say it’s a victimless crime, one that shaves a few seconds off your commute, but it puts pedestrians’, cyclists’ and other road users’ lives at risk every day.”
Rod Dennis, the RAC’s road safety spokesman, was equally blunt:
“Given red traffic lights are one of, if not the most important of all signals, it’s disturbing to see so many road users ignoring them. By running a red light, you’re putting yourself and others into huge danger and the potential consequences mean it’s never worth it. They’re there to keep everyone safe, so all road users should obey them at all times.”
Why Riders Do It
A separate study by behavioural insight consultancy Thinks sheds light on rider behaviour. Road design was the top reason. Three in four cyclists backed more protected cycle lanes, and a similar number called for dedicated traffic lights for bikes.
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said:
“Red light running is illegal, and all road users should follow the rules of the road, but we also need to understand why people do it. Cyclists often have to navigate streets which aren’t designed for them and don’t feel safe, so in addition to enforcement we need to design in compliance by building protected cycle lanes and safer junctions, supported by better communication of the highway code to all road users. Targeted enforcement can work, especially for repeat offenders and in areas where offences are prevalent, but investment in safer streets and improved road safety awareness for everyone is also needed to secure long-term changes in behaviour.”
Industry Response
Rental operator Lime has stepped in with an advertising campaign at key intersections and commuter routes. Their billboards highlight the dangers — and remind riders that running red lights is against the law.
The Bottom Line
The study paints a clear picture: whether it’s bikes, scooters, cars, or even pedestrians, too many people treat red lights as optional. But among them, riders of rental e-bikes stand out as the most frequent lawbreakers.
Until safer infrastructure, stronger enforcement, and better awareness are in place, expect to see the same behaviour at junctions across the UK — and the risks that come with it.
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