A cyclist was caught almost every two minutes riding along Oxford High Street without lights in a police operation.

Police dished out 83 fines to cyclists in High Street from 6.30pm to 9pm on Monday.

Cyclists can have their £30 fine rescinded if they buy a new set of lights and produce a receipt at their nearest police station within a week.

Excuses for cycling in the dark without lights included having them stolen, leaving them at home and claiming there were enough street lights for cyclists to be seen by other road users.

Pc Mark Pilling, of Oxfordshire roads policing, said: "There are no excuses. Leaving them in your rucksack or in your bag isn't going to hold much weight with the Grim Reaper.

"There's no defence for riding at night without lights.

"Sadly, I am not surprised we found so many. As a cyclist you are four times more likely to be killed and injured on the road.”

An identical operation run by police and Oxfordshire County Council a year ago yielded just 53 fines.

Police lined either side of High Street to spot cyclists without front and rear lights, who were fined before receiving safety advice from county council road safety officers.

Two cyclists were also fined £30 for jumping red traffic lights.

Worcester College student Ben Battcock, 21, was the first to be caught. He said: "It's a very easy way of police making a lot of money quickly.

"I have lights, I just forgot to put them on. I don't think this makes a whole lot of difference."

Tom Hale, 18, a student from Jesus College, said: "It's fair — they are doing this for the right reasons. My lights were stolen, but I can't complain — I support what the police are doing."

Benjamin Hertz, 25, of Wolfson College, said: "I can't understand why they want me to go and buy a pair of lights and produce a receipt.

"I already have lights, but I didn't think I would be staying out this late. It's ridiculous. I don't need to buy a second pair of lights."

Rosie Gibson, 20, a student at Christ Church College, said: "Some of the roads here are well lit, so lights are unnecessary.

"But I know a cyclist died in the city centre and that is quite a reminder to be safe."

Police are to hold more night-time operations throughout the winter.

The 1989 Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations made it illegal to cycle at night without a white lamp on the front and rear red light.