POLICE in Winton have re-launched their annual campaign to tackle dangerous cycling on pavements and without lights.

Over the last two weeks officers patrolling hotspots in Wimborne Road and Talbot Road have issued £30 fixed penalty notices to more than 30 riders caught without front and rear lights.

The fines are not enforced if the riders can prove within a week that they have put the correct lights on their bikes.

Local PCSO Simon Berndt, who is behind the campaign, said the problem remains a priority issue for local residents.

“It is one of the key local priorities we have picked up from residents’ meetings,” he said.

“Our aim here is to educate people to ride safely rather than having to enforce constantly. I am a keen cyclist myself so I understand the dangers.

“A lot of the people we stop claim they have had their lights stolen, some just say ‘fair enough’. It takes a bit of effort to go and buy lights, but obviously they are more likely to when the alternative is a fine.”

One cyclist stopped and fined when the Echo went out with officers on Tuesday said his lights had been stolen.

“I know I should have lights on here but mine were clip-ons and someone pinched them,” said 26-year-old Chris Brett of Sherborne Road.

“This is a pretty good idea because I will certainly be buying some now, rather than pay the fine.”

Another, Ehsan Jafari, 29, of Glenferness Avenue, said he hadn’t got round to putting working lights on his new bike.

“I have been cycling in the summer when I didn’t need them but I know they should be there,” he said. “This is a good solution as I’m going to buy some now.”

Police, who gave out three tickets to riders cycling on the pavements in the same period, are also working with local colleges and Bournemouth University to promote bike safety and security to students.

Winton Police Sergeant Steve Houston said: “Part of the problem is naivety, many of these cyclists are young people who haven’t been behind the wheel of a car and don’t know how hard it is to see them.”

He said there had been many near misses involving unlit bikes in the area which didn’t make it into crime statistics.

“It is a relatively minor offence, and most of the people who have perhaps been clipped by a passing bike are reasonable and don’t regard it as an assault,” the Sergeant added.

“But one day there could be a serious accident. If what we are doing prevents that it is worthwhile.”