Footage captured by the Standard this week shows cyclists continuing to pedal along the busy 1km stretch, despite the ban and assurances from e-bike operators that geofencing would cut motor assistance to bikes entering the area, bringing them to a gradual stop.
asserted
geofencing → capture → stop
Cyclists who ignore Oxford Street's new restrictions face potential penalties of up to £160, according to TfL's website.
But it is understood that still no-one has been fined despite scores of riders seemingly flouting the ban each day.
uncertain
scores → ignore → ban
Shoppers on Friday warned of the risk of serious injury if pedestrians are struck by speeding e-bikes as they called for further action to be taken.
asserted
action → warn → bikes
Damon, 55, told The Standard: “I think at the moment you've probably got some people who are cycling down here for fun.
asserted
who → tell → fun
They’re testing it out.
asserted
They → test → it
They're trying their luck.
asserted
They → try → luck
You've got kids who probably think it's funny.
asserted
it → get → kids
“But at the end of the day, if you want to control it, you'll have to fine people if they don't abide.
asserted
they → want → people
I don’t want to see anything bad happen.”
asserted
anything → want → ?
John Jones, 60, added: “There needs to be more police presence.
asserted
Jones → add → ?
People need to be taught a lesson.
asserted
People → need → lesson
If you're not meant to do something, you don't do it.
asserted
you → mean → it
“It gets so busy around here, what if there’s a crash and someone gets hurt?
asserted
someone → get → ?
No, they need to enforce it now.”
asserted
they → need → it
When the Standard visited Oxford Street on Thursday, some cyclists were seen walking their bikes, while others rode through crowds, seemingly ignoring both the restrictions and enforcement officers' instructions to dismount.
asserted
others → visit → restrictions
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In one incident, a man riding a Forest bike rang his bell at pedestrians, seemingly demanding they move out of his way, before continuing up the street.
asserted
they → read → street
Meanwhile, enforcement officers told The Standard they have faced hostility from cyclists when trying to offer advice and guidance.
asserted
they → tell → advice
One officer said he had been pushed by a group of teenagers after asking them to get off their bikes.
asserted
he → say → bikes
He said the group had been blocking a road junction used by taxis, which prompted him to intervene.
asserted
which → say → him
He alleged that members of the group then racially abused him, asking where he was from before telling him to “go back to where he came from”.
asserted
he → allege → where
Another enforcement officer estimated that around 70% of cyclists ignored requests to dismount, with only 30% complying.
asserted
% → estimate → requests
She said some riders were travelling at such speed that she feared they would crash into her if she attempted to stand in their way.
asserted
she → say → way
The transport authority also condemned abuse and violence towards staff, saying it was committed to protecting officers and would continue to monitor and review the scheme.
asserted
it → condemn → scheme
As of Monday, October 26, cars, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, pedicabs, e-bikes and e-scooters are completely banned from entering the zone from Orchard Street (near Selfridges) to Great Portland Street (just east of Oxford Circus).
asserted
cars → ban → Circus
Bus routes have been permanently rerouted to surrounding streets such as Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place, and Cavendish Place, with new stops located roughly 200 metres from the pedestrianised zone.
asserted
stops → reroute → zone
Meanwhile, freight, waste collection, and servicing deliveries are restricted to an overnight window between midnight and 7am.
asserted
freight → restrict → am
Some shoppers told The Standard that cyclists should be given time to adjust to the new rules, with one describing fines as “cruel”.
Caitlin, 24, who works in retail, said a period of leniency was reasonable while people got to grips with the changes.
“I think a bit of wiggle room in the first week is very reasonable.
asserted
bit → tell → week
But building contractor Tomaz, 42, said a £160 fine was reasonable and suggested it could go even higher.
uncertain
it → say → ?
“In fact,” he added, “I think it could be even higher.
uncertain
it → add → fact
It should be bigger, just to stop people from using it.
asserted
It → stop → it
If it means the street will be safer, then they should increase it.
asserted
they → mean → it
“There’s a big chance if they don’t start enforcing the fines soon then someone could get hurt.”
uncertain
someone → ’ → fines
Residents of the Marylebone Association claim the removal of vehicles on Oxford Street appears to have created fresh problems with cyclist behaviour and safety.
uncertain
removal → claim → behaviour
They fear the scheme could descend into chaos without proper funding, effective monitoring and tougher enforcement, raising concerns over how the busy shopping street will be managed in the long term.
uncertain
street → fear → term
They urged officials to step up enforcement and provide additional resources to make the scheme work.
asserted
scheme → urge → resources
“Pedestrians should not have to dodge cyclists or be intimidated into moving out of their way,” said local resident Michael Bolt.
asserted
Bolt → have → way
“Nor should enforcement officers be left powerless to deal with dangerous behaviour.
asserted
officers → leave → behaviour
But all of this should have been considered beforehand.
asserted
all → consider → this
“Without constant vigilance, a properly funded management plan and effective, enforceable restrictions, the scheme risks becoming a free-for-all.”
asserted
scheme → fund → all
A TfL spokesperson said the number of cyclists using Oxford Street had fallen significantly since the road was closed to traffic, adding that officers were continuing to educate and encourage people to walk their bikes or take alternative routes.
A Lime spokesperson added: "We've worked closely with TfL and Westminster City Council on the changes being made to Oxford Street.
asserted
We → say → Street
…and 9 more, not listed.
The Aporia
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