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Cyclists flouting a riding ban on Tower Bridge are putting pedestrians at risk as they weave through rush-hour crowds, it was claimed today.

Transport for London has stationed security staff on the bridge to enforce the no riding rule at peak times while it is closed to traffic for vital repairs over the next three months.

Commuters yesterday reported police dishing out dozens of on-the-spot fines during the daytime but when the Standard visited last night, the guards left at just after 6pm.

One compliant cyclist, who gave his name as Dan, was filmed getting into angry confrontations with fellow riders as he attempted to enforce the ban himself using his bike to block their path.

He told the Standard he had been sworn at and threatened with violence, but added: “If we all don’t dismount someone is going to get hurt, maybe even worse.”

In one incident, a middle-aged man in a black lycra jacket and denim shorts shouted “It’s none of your business!” before barging past the improvised blockage and jumping back into the saddle to pedal away.

Dan, from Camberwell, said: “I’m not a vigilante and I normally stay out of trouble but I can’t stand by when people could get hurt.

“The ones who break the rules are giving cyclists a bad name. I just hope I don’t get my block knocked off.”

He added: “Why haven’t TfL got any people here right now to just say ‘stop it?’”

A financial advisor, walking home from work in the City, said: “It’s crazy. Everyone’s got to share the pavement and then you see these cyclists come hurtling through. With no-one here to make sure cyclists get off and walk it’s a free-for-all.”

Hristo Ivanov, 45, who sells caramelised peanuts on the busiest stretch of the bridge, said he had seen dozens of near-misses and described the morning rush-hour as “terrifying”.

He said: “Most of them are well behaved and get off. But earlier someone was cycling so fast he smashed straight into my stand and knocked nuts everywhere.

“I shouted ‘be careful’ but he just sped off and didn’t say anything - he didn’t even look back. They really don’t care, it’s so rude.”

Tfl has set up a two-mile detour, advising cyclists to travel northbound over Southwark Bridge and southbound over London Bridge.

But some cycle couriers who the Standard stopped insisted they had no alternative but to use Tower Bridge.

An UberEats cyclist, who gave his name as Stefan, said he had been stopped by police five times in a single day since the bridge was closed to vehicles on Saturday.

The 20-year-old told the Standard: “It takes nearly 15 minutes to walk across the bridge, but people expect their meals in to arrive that time.

“I get told off but then as soon as they can’t see me I have to hop back on again. It’s the only way I can do my job.

“I haven’t been fined yet by police and if I take the next bridge along I’m adding on even more time.”

Another delivery cyclist, who gave his name as Levi, 40, saidd: “My boss needs me to deliver on time so I will keep cycling. There should be a separate cycle lane for us and there would be no problems.”

Repairs to the bridge, which include resurfacing and waterproofing the road and replacing timber decking, are expected to last until the end of the year.

A TfL spokesman said: “Cyclists will not be able to get past on their bikes without being stopped by our Road and Transport Enforcement Officers.

“Since we were made aware that some cyclists were riding along the footpath, we have stationed four of our officers on the bridge. There will also be two officers on duty at each end.”