Fines for cycling on non-designated cycle paths in the Royal Parks
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.25.044494
I note you seek access to the following information:
- How many people have been fined for illegally cycling in the Royal Parks during the last ten years, or for the latest period for which you have kept records.
- Would you please send me a break down by the year for the latest period for which you have kept records.
- Please send me the document or email that lays out the instruction to officers on the beat about imposing penalties for illegal cycling on non-designated paths.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Q1 - How many people have been fined for illegally cycling in the Royal Parks during the last ten years, or for the latest period for which you have kept records.
Q2 - Would you please send me a break down by the year for the latest period for which you have kept records.
The table below represents Traffic Offence Reports (TOR) for cycling on footpaths within the MPS Royal Parks jurisdiction. It should be noted that there is no unique identifier other than this from which we could collate the information. The alternative would be to retrieve data by using locations. This would require us to check 3783 records most of which will be cycling on pavements not within parks. We would not be able to complete this task within the Freedom of Information Act cost / research threshold.
| *TORs for Royal Park Constabulary’s cycling on footways | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2023 | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycling on footway | 6 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| Ride a pedal cycle on a footpath / causeway by the side of a road made / set apart for the use of foot passengers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Grand Total | 6 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 11 |
Q3 - Please send me the document or email that lays out the instruction to officers on the beat about imposing penalties for illegal cycling on non-designated paths.
I have been advised that there is no specific policy to issue fines. The issuing of fines relates to the following legislation:
Royal Parks and Open Spaces Regulations 1997, Section 3 Acts Prohibited in a Park, (4) Use pedal cycle/ skates/ blade/board/foot propelled device in Royal Park or other open space.
This is a Lower Tier Penalty Notice Offence and carries a £60 fine.
Concerns regarding unauthorised cycling may be raised by Safer Parks Panels, in conjunction with the Royal Parks Agency and Designated Parks Officers.
Police cyclists and police drivers are trained to stop cyclists when the individual officer deems it is safe to do so. In terms of issuing a fine, it is at the discretion of the officer.