ALMOST 170 cyclists were stopped by police and issued £50 fines for not having the correct lights in Oxford last night.

Officers of Thames Valley Police's roads policing department carried out the checks on High Street, between 6pm and 9pm.

It was part a fresh drive in the force's cycle lights scheme, after the change to clocks for daylight savings time began the season of darker nights. 

Cyclists were stopped if they did not have lights - white at the front and red at the rear - and issued a £50 fixed penalty notice.

Most were told they could avoid paying it if they purchased lights and presented them at a police station within a week, but three people caught for a second time were not given that option.

Last night 167 fines were issued, which police said was down from 267 issued last year.

PC Mark Pilling said: “This campaign is aimed at educating cyclists about how important it is that they are fully visible to all other road users.

“Just because a cyclist can see where they are going on a well lit street, does not necessarily mean that they are fully visible to motorists approaching with their headlights on.

“Cyclists should have a light on both the front and back of their bike and they should wear either some fluorescent or high visibility clothing.

"They are reminded to remove the lights when they lock up their bikes to prevent them from being stolen.

“We will be carrying out further checks during the coming months.”