New proposals to improve traffic flow in the capital could give cyclists the right to ignore red lights. 
Under a new initiative being considered by transport chiefs for London, cyclists could be allowed to ride through red traffic lights if they are turning left.
The controversial new proposals are designed to reduce the risk posed to cyclists turning left by buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles performing the same manoeuvre.
Transport for London (TfL) are awaiting permission from the Department for Transport to run trials following their application.
Rob Gifford, director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, warned that the trials could prove controversial among pedestrians.
He said: “Pedestrians might well say, ‘What about us when we are crossing on a green man and a cyclist comes around the corner?’
“‘On one hand we want cyclists to obey the law but on the other we let them ‘break’ the law.’”
The proposals could also prove controversial among motorists, such as limousine and car hire drivers that encounter cyclists on the city roads regularly.
This announcement follows the launch of the TfL Cycling Safety campaign to be shown in cinemas earlier this month, which urges motorists to be aware of cyclists on the road.