Cyclists who go through red lights or travel on pavements are being offered a course to avoid a £50 fine.

Greater Manchester Police is among the first to run the scheme which is similar to the driver speed awareness courses for motorists to avoid points.

The project, run in conjunction with AA Tech Drive and Thames Valley and Metropolitan police, will feature an online course.

Rather than cough up a £50 fine, cyclists can log on, learn about the Highway Code and then complete a quiz at the end.

They will also be offered an optional training course for free.

It’s part of Operation Considerate - GMP’s ongoing campaign to encourage all road users to be considerate of each other.

Gareth Walker, road policing support officer, helped develop the programme.

Common cycling breaches include failing to stop at red lights, cycling on pavements and not having proper lights.

More serious offences include cycling while drunk and cycling dangerously - which can both land you in court.

(Image: Simon Pendrigh)

He said: “We are educating cyclists in Greater Manchester to follow the rules of the Highway Code on key arterial routs.

“Some motorists who commit speeding offences or drive with mobile phones are offered similar courses.

“Over the last three years, we have been trying to devise a degree of parity if you commit minor cyclying offences and

this course will train cyclists to ride safely.

“Just like with the driver-alertness course, this gives cyclists the same opportunity to be educated.

“We are trying to make our roads and cycling safer. If we see a cyclist at night without lights then we will give them lights.”

Sgt Walker said they have never seen a case of dangerous cycling in two years on the job.

But six months ago there was a drunk cyclist who was spoken to by officers.

Nick Hubble from Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign argued Manchester’s infrastructure sometimes makes it safer to break the law.

HE said: “We’ve engaged with police on this. We don’t endorse anti-social cycling. However, we recognise that to a very large extent

road traffic laws are made for the benefit of motorists and there are certain situations where it’s safer on a bike to break the law.

“The answer as far as we are concerned is to keep pushing for proper separate infrastructure so everyone has an intuitive part of the road.”

Most common offences

- Failing to stop at red lights

- Cycling on the pavements

- Cycling with no lights in hours of darkness

- Failing to comply with traffic signs.

More serious offences:

- Careless and inconsiderate cycling

- Dangerous cycling