Cyclists riding without lights were stopped in Oxford city centre last night as a new safer cycle riding initiative was launched across the Thames Valley.

Between 6pm and 9pm on the High Street, 106 cyclists were issued with £30 fixed penalty notices for riding without lights.

All were offered the opportunity to have the fine wiped out if they attend a police station with a receipt for a new set of lights in the next seven days.

One cyclist was issued with a non-refundable £30 fixed penalty notice for riding through a red light. Another was arrested after becoming violent when stopped.

He was later issued with an £80 fixed penalty notice for threatening behaviour in addition to a £30 fine for riding without lights.

PC Mark Pilling, who led the check, said: “It was worrying to find so many cyclists riding without lights.

“People don’t realise that by not making themselves visible to other road users they are causing a danger not only to themselves, but also to pedestrians and motorists.

“Although we were issuing more than one ticket every two minutes it could easily have been more and that illustrates why the lights on bikes initiative is so important.

“Fortunately, nearly all those who were issued with fixed penalties took them with good grace and will be able to get their ticket cancelled if they buy lights in the next week and present the receipt at a police station.”

The lights on bikes campaign will continue throughout Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.