Cyclists caught jumping red lights in the City of London will now be given the chance to watch an educational safety film instead of receiving a £50 fine.
The ‘sin bin’ is a canopy in the Square Mile where offending cyclists stand on a ‘time out zone’ mat and watch the prescribed video in view of the public.
City of London Police have launched the new initiative in response to the rise in cyclists ignoring red lights.
Sergeant Stuart Ford, Cycle Team lead at City of London Police, said: “Going through a red light might save a few seconds, but it can change someone’s life forever.”
The almost two minute film features accounts from blind and visually impaired pedestrians about the dangers of cyclists failing to stop at red lights.
We want to keep our vulnerable road users safe. A red light is not a suggestion. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/SmoektcTyA
On Wednesday 14 October, when the scheme was launched, police stopped 70 cyclists in 90 minutes at Bank junction.
The scheme builds on the work of the force’s Cycle Response Unit, which was relaunched in 2023 to provide a visible policing presence across the city.
The public’s use of e-bikes in London has risen in recent years, subsequently causing an increase in bike related accidents and crime.
Fixed penalty notices issued to cyclists, including for running red lights, have more than doubled since 2024 according to City Police.
The City of London Police Cycle Team issued 1,315 penalties in 2025/26, compared with 643 in 2024/25.
Tijs Broeke, Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, said: “This initiative combines education with enforcement to make the Square Mile’s streets safer for everyone.”
The force declined to disclose the days and hours the scheme would operate, saying it would be incorporated into specific patrols and operations.
Officers will decide when to offer the video, and police stressed that the scheme would not replace enforcement where a fine is necessary.
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