The charity responsible for London’s Royal Parks has written to the government to demand new laws to force cyclists to obey 20mph speed limits.
The Royal Parks, which runs Regent’s Park and others, is lobbying for new legislation so cyclists can be prosecuted for speeding, the Telegraph reported.
There has been a series of serious injuries connected to cycling, including the death of Hilda Griffiths, 81, who died after being hit by a speeding cyclist in Regent’s Park in June 2022.
Her inquest was told that police did not prosecute the cyclist, riding at 29mph in a 20mph zone, because speed limits do not apply to bikes.
Many cyclists use the outer ring of Regent’s Park to train, often hitting speeds in excess of 40mph.
Loyd Grossman, the chairman of The Royal Parks, has now written to Sir Chris Bryant, the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism who has Government responsibility for the parks, requesting that laws are updated.
The letter says the charity’s board wants an amendment to The Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997 “with a view to setting speed limits for cyclists”.
Any new legislation would affect parks, including Regent’s Park and Richmond Park, where roads are shared with vehicles and pedestrians.
Mrs Griffiths’ son, Gerard, 51, who is campaigning for a change in cycling laws, said: “This is something that should be in place not just for parks but all roads, and I would encourage the Government to put speed limits into place for cycling with legislation that gives parity to all road users.”
A Royal Parks spokeswoman confirmed the letter had been sent, adding: “We have a responsibility to everyone who uses the parks to ensure we are acting in a way that protects and promotes their safety.”
A DCMS source said it was right that The Royal Parks “continue to examine ways to improve safety”.
She added: “We are aware of a Royal Parks proposal to improve safety for park users and will consider it carefully.”
The letter comes after The Royal Parks cancelled a well-organised bike race in Richmond Park amid fears cyclists would exceed the 20mph limit and pose a threat to pedestrians.
The charity imposed a 20mph speed limit across all its parks in September 2020.
