London, 14 January 2026 — New rules for cyclists in Regent’s Park came into force this week as three traffic-light controlled pedestrian crossings were switched on along the Outer Circle at Monkey Hill Gate, Chester Gate and Kent Passage, following a fatal pedestrian death in 2022 and a serious collision in 2024. Under the new rules for cyclists, riders who run red lights can now be issued £50 on-the-spot fines, according to an official Royal Parks press release dated 12 January 2026 confirming the new crossings on the Outer Circle.
The project was approved by the Crown Estate Paving Commission after consultation with Transport for London, local councils, residents and community groups. The WP Times, citing the Royal Parks release and BBC reporting on the crashes, says the changes mark one of the most significant overhauls of cycling rules ever introduced on London’s busiest park cycling loop. The changes apply to the Outer Circle, a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) circular road around Regent’s Park that ranks among London’s busiest cycling and jogging routes, carrying heavy daily flows of commuters, training cyclists, runners and pedestrians moving between key park gates used by families, dog walkers and tourists.
Where new traffic lights are being installed on Regent’s Park Outer Circle
The Royal Parks has confirmed that three signal-controlled pedestrian crossings are being installed at the busiest and highest-risk crossing points on the Outer Circle in Regent’s Park, where cyclists, runners and pedestrians mix at high speed:
- Monkey Hill Gate
- Chester Gate
- Kent Passage
These locations were selected because they are among the most heavily used pedestrian access points to the park, with constant foot traffic from families, dog walkers, tourists and commuters crossing the road.
Each crossing operates as a fully regulated traffic-light junction. Pedestrians activate the lights using a push button, all vehicles and cyclists on the Outer Circle are brought to a stop by a red signal, and pedestrians receive a protected green phase to cross safely. Under the new rules for cyclists in Regent’s Park, riders are now legally required to stop at red lights in the same way as drivers. The crossings are designed to break up high-speed cycling laps on London’s most used park loop and to cut the risk of collisions at points where large numbers of people must cross the road every day.
Why new cycling fines and rules were introduced after fatal and serious crashes
The safety intervention follows two major incidents on the same section of the park road. In June 2022, Hilda Griffiths, 81, was killed after being struck by a cyclist while crossing the Outer Circle with her dog. The cyclist was not prosecuted and a coroner recorded a verdict of accidental cycling collision death. In May 2024, another woman in her fifties was seriously injured after being hit by a cyclist at the same crossing point.
The Royal Parks also recorded multiple near-miss incidents involving fast-moving cyclists and pedestrians. A park survey found that 72 per cent of London pedestrians said they had witnessed or experienced a near-miss or collision with a cyclist in Royal Parks.
The Outer Circle is widely used for timed training laps. While cars inside Regent’s Park are restricted to 20 mph, no speed limit applies to bicycles under UK law. In the 2022 fatal collision, the cyclist was travelling at between 25 and 29 mph, exceeding the park’s motor-vehicle limit. Cyclists can be prosecuted for wanton and furious cycling, even though formal speed limits do not apply to bikes.
The Royal Parks previously asked Strava to remove the Outer Circle as a competitive segment, saying its leaderboard system encouraged racing behaviour in a shared public space. Strava declined. Under the new system, cyclists must stop at red lights, pedestrians receive a protected crossing phase, and police and park enforcement officers can issue £50 fines to riders who jump the signals.
Darren Share, Director of Parks at The Royal Parks, said the new crossings were intended to make Regent’s Park safer and more accessible and to improve confidence for people moving around the park. The Crown Estate Paving Commission, which manages roads around Regent’s Park, said the scheme was developed following consultation with Transport for London, local authorities, residents and community groups and approved as a permanent safety upgrade.
Key facts — Regent’s Park Outer Circle safety changes
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Park road | Regent’s Park Outer Circle |
| Length | 2.7 miles (4.3 km) |
| New crossings | Monkey Hill Gate, Chester Gate, Kent Passage |
| Type | Signal-controlled pedestrian crossings |
| Fine for cyclists | £50 for running a red light |
| Fatal incident | Hilda Griffiths, 81, June 2022 |
| Serious injury | Woman in her 50s, May 2024 |
| Recorded cycling speed | 25–29 mph in 2022 crash |
| Authority | The Royal Parks |
| Roads manager | Crown Estate Paving Commission |
| Consultation | TfL, councils, residents, community groups |
The Royal Parks confirmed that three signal-controlled pedestrian crossings are being installed on the Outer Circle at Monkey Hill Gate, Chester Gate and Kent Passage. The crossings will operate as standard traffic-light junctions, requiring cyclists and all other traffic to stop on red while pedestrians are given a protected green phase to cross under the new rules for cyclists in Regent’s Park.
Read about the life of Westminster and Pimlico district, London and the world. 24/7 news with fresh and useful updates on culture, business, technology and city life: Eye tests over 70 driving: UK government plans new licence rules to tighten safety without curbing freedom