Cyclists should benefit from automatic green traffic lights, a bike hire firm has suggested. Hal Stevenson, policy director for Lime, argued that implementing such a system in London might help reduce instances of cyclists jumping red lights.

However, Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, dismissed the proposal as "farcical". Transport for London (TfL) recently announced plans to grant buses priority at all 3,500 traffic signals across the capital by 2030.

While Mr Stevenson praised this initiative, he advocated for its expansion to include bicycles. "Cyclists shouldn't be left on red," he argued in a piece for news website MyLondon.

"Cycling now accounts for up to one in five trips in central London, with cycle traffic at peak times exceeding cars. Despite this, signal timings remain set around motor traffic speeds, which can lead to frequent stopping and less smooth journeys for people on bikes."

Mr Stevenson highlighted that TfL has expanded London's cycling infrastructure from approximately 90 km (56 miles) in 2016 to 430 km (267 miles) last year. "Rethinking how traffic lights are timed could be a natural next step in building on that success", he noted.

"Other leading cycling cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam show what's possible. 'Green wave' technology, which rewards cyclists travelling at a safe, consistent speed with a sequence of green lights, has improved safety and rider behaviour while reducing journey times at relatively low cost. It could also help address red light running."

Speaking to the Press Association, Mr McNamara described the policy as "farcical", pointing out that London is "incredibly congested", with traffic "slower than it's ever been". He argued that bike hire users are "incentivised" to take "dangerous risks" including jumping red lights, as the time-based charging structure from these companies makes shorter journeys more economical.

Mr McNamara revealed he participates in road safety discussions alongside representatives of the "white, middle-class cycling lobby" whose "whole obsession is removing vehicle traffic from the roads".

He continued: "Has it not occurred to them that some people either can't or don't want to cycle? It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them."

Recent analysis by location technology firm TomTom revealed London held the unwanted distinction of being the world's slowest capital city for motorists last year. Drivers in central London took an average of three minutes and 38 seconds to cover just one kilometre (0.6 miles), the data showed.

This was partly attributed to the widespread implementation of 20mph speed limits. The reduction of speed limits from 30mph to 20mph has been a key transport policy of London's Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, in his bid to decrease road casualties.

A spokesperson for the mayor stated that journey times on the TfL road network "remain at similar levels to those in 2019" and "studies have shown 20mph limits and zones may improve traffic flow and cut traffic jams".