57 per cent of cyclists have jumped a red light A leading UK road safety charity is urging the police to enforce the law as strongly when cyclists jump red traffic lights as they do when drivers commit the same office. The advice comes from the Institute of Advanced Motorists after its online survey of 1,600 cyclists revealed that 57 per cent admitted to jumping a red light at least once, with 14 per cent saying they do so regularly. The reason given by cyclists is they feel it is safer to get ahead of other traffic, with 48 per cent of those polled also rating poor road layout and junctions as a top concern. The survey also revealed that a large number of cyclists (73 per cent) ride on the pavement to avoid busy sections of road, busy junctions and when a cycle path doesn't join up completely, and that 81 per cent of pedestrians who don't cycle feel threatened by cyclists using the pavement. Of the drivers who took part in the survey 21 per cent admitted to jumping a red light at least once, while 88 per cent think cyclists should improve their behaviour by sticking to the Highway Code at junctions. Cyclists said they would be less likely to jump red lights if advanced stop lines (a road marking which forms a box at some junctions to put cyclists ahead of other road users) were better enforced. On this matter, the IAM reminds motorists that if they cross an advanced stop line they are committing the same offence as jumping a red light. Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said: "Changes to road layouts and junctions can improve safety for cyclists, but no junction will ever be safe for those who continue to jump red lights. It's dangerous and illegal. The police need to enforce the law as strongly when cyclists put themselves and others at risk by jumping the lights, as they do for drivers. They also need to ensure that drivers are pulled up for crossing advanced stop lines that protect cyclists.