Drivers who cross into a cycle lane in London face a £160 fine as part of expanded road enforcement rules that come into force today.
The shake-up means Transport for London (TfL) now has the power to fine drivers instead of the police.
As well as being issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for driving into a cycle lane, motorists face a fine for parking or stopping in one too.
TfL will use its CCTV camera network to enforce the cycle lane contraventions at key locations.
First-time offenders will receive a warning letter rather than a fine for the first six months of the scheme.
TfL is already in charge of fining drivers who veer into bus lanes and yellow box junctions.
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It will issue cycle lane fines at the same level as other red route penalty charge notices, meaning the £160 fine will be halved to £80 if paid within two weeks.
Most motor vehicles are prohibited from driving within or crossing the white lines of the cycle lanes that are marked by a solid white line and cycle tracks.
“From 27 June 2022, we may issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to drivers…if you drive over the white line of a cycle lane when not permitted [or] if you stop or park in a cycle lane when not permitted,” TfL’s website states.
“The new enforcement powers will help protect designated space for cyclists and make the capital’s roads more attractive for Londoners to cycle on, helping to build on the huge increases in cycling seen in the capital since the start of the coronavirus pandemic,” TfL said.
Siwan Hayward, TfL director of compliance, policing, operations and security, said: "We welcome the introduction of the new enforcement powers in London.
“Protecting designated space for cyclists is essential in keeping them safe and improving confidence to cycle.
“We will start enforcing in key locations in London to deter drivers contravening the road rules.
“We want to ensure a green and sustainable future for London, and to do this we must continue to make walking and cycling round our city safe and accessible to all Londoners."
This month saw councils given more powers against motorists with local authorities across England able to apply for the right to enforce fines for smaller offences such as yellow box junctions and performing bad turns.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has begun accepting applications from some 300 councils to issue fines for moving traffic offences.
This could include such as yellow box misuse, making an illegal turn or driving the wrong way down a one-way street. It comes as part of efforts to promote cycling and walking.
