Cyclist condemns red light fine

A Bristol cyclist is condemning a decision to prosecute him for riding through a red light early in the morning, as a waste of public money.

Chris Adams was issued with a fixed penalty notice by a police officer near Queens Road last December.

He appealed against the fine, but says magistrates went ahead with the case, which involved three costly hearings.

A police spokesman said officers have to respond if they see an offence being committed in front of them.

Inspector Mike Cox said: "Cyclists have a responsibility to the Road Traffic Act.

"We don't go out to target them, but if it happens in front of us, we have to deal with it."

We're living in a world where it's imperative to get people out of their cars and this sort of thing doesn't encourage people onto their bikes Chris Adams, cyclist

He added: "Other members of the public will feel we were right to do this."

He admitted that police have a range of options when dealing with an offence, but said the officer in this case felt it was necessary to issue a fine.

But Mr Adams, who was ordered to pay £30 with £100 costs, said: "It was 5.55am, I was surprised when the police stopped me, I was the only traffic on the road.

"Not only is it a waste of time and money on both sides, there is another important issue.

"We're living in a world where it's imperative to get people out of their cars and this sort of thing doesn't encourage people onto their bikes."