Cyclist’s Unusual Defense Sparks Legal Battle Over Human Rights Act Allegation

So, imagine this: you’re cycling through the wild jungle of London traffic — dodging taxis, buses, and the occasional pedestrian who thinks a crosswalk is just a suggestion — and suddenly, bam! A City of London police officer pulls you over… not for reckless driving, but because you dared to pedal without gripping your handlebars. Sounds like the start of a comedy sketch, right? Turns out, barrister and activist Paul Powlesland found himself in exactly this pickle, sparking a fiery debate about the “no-hands” cycling offense—yes, that’s a thing now—in a city where, frankly, motorists feel like the real predators. With over 14,000 cycling casualties last year alone, it makes you wonder: Is letting your handlebars go really the reckless move, or just our twisted urban dance with danger? Dive into the curious case that’s got everyone talking. LEARN MORE.

A cyclist shared the moment he was ticketed by a London police officer for cycling without holding onto the handlebars.

When you think about the biggest threats facing cyclists on UK roads, you’d most likely imagine they’d come from nearby motorists.

Everyone knows that if you choose to cycle in a major city, you’re basically placing your life in the hands of motorists on the road, with a total of 14,523 road casualties involving cyclists last year (per Gov.uk).

However, one man recently found himself being accused of being a danger to other road users in a clip that was recently shared online.

In a now viral post on X, barrister and climate change activist Paul Powlesland claimed a City of London police officer had attempted to ticket him for cycling without his hands on the handlebars.

Paul Powlesland ignited a debate about cycling without holding onto the handlebars online (Getty Stock Images)

The clip – which had been filmed a couple of months ago, but shared online yesterday (3 July) – Powlesland responded to news of a new City of London police campaign by sharing the video of himself arguing with an officer over the situation.

A spokesperson from the City of London police has since clarified that the interaction took place when Powlesland approached the officer in April, after receiving a ticket on 5 March.

In the footage, Powlesland can be heard arguing with the policewoman about the why he was being ticketed for cycling non-handed, claiming that it was not an offence to do so.

“Anyone cycling no-handed in rush hour is going to get ticketed?” Powlesland questions, to which the officer replies: “If I see them, yes.”

“Do you honestly think that’s a good use of City of London Police time,” the barrister questions, before going on to accuse police in London of failing to investigate bike thieves and phone snatchers.

The officer then cites Article Two of the Human Rights Act in her explanation of why cycling without holding onto the handlebars is dangers, saying that by not having full control of the vehicle users are placing ‘others at risk’.

Shocked, Powlesland then questions: “Cycling no-handed violates Article 2 of the Human Rights Act? That’s the Right to Life, isn’t it?”

The officer begins to clarify her comment before he cuts in to add: “No, you said me cycling no-handed violates Article 2. I think we’re done at that. It’s rather silly, isn’t it?”

Is it legal to cycle on UK roads while not holding onto the handlebars?

The clip has since caused a debate online, with several people jumping to Powlesland’s defence, calling the officer’s decision to issue a ticket ‘mad’. Meanwhile others pointed out that having less control over the bike does place other people – particularly pedestrians – at risk.

According to a post by BikeLawyer, there is no law in the UK which explicitly prohibits cycling ‘non-handed’, however, officers do have the right to pull over cyclists who they believe aren’t ‘in proper control’ of their bike, according to S41 D of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Meanwhile rules 66 and 68 of the Highway Code address concerns around cycling dangerously, including the line ‘you must not ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner’.

Riding without using handlebars isn’t illegal, however an officer can pull you over if you don’t appear to be in control of your bike (Getty Stock Images)

Responding to the clip, a spokesperson for City of London police told LADbible: “We’re aware of a social media post that shows a small clip from a longer interaction between a cyclist and a City of London Police officer on the April 2 2025.

“The cyclist approached the officer and during their three-minute chat, the Human Rights Act was mentioned. The cyclist was not ticketed on this day, but he had approached the officer because she had issued him a ticket on the March 5 2025 in the City of London.”

The statement continued: “On the March 5 2025, the officer observed the cyclist riding with his arms stretched out wide and off the handlebars during rush hour.

“The officer stopped the cyclist and issued him with a ticket for careless and inconsiderate cycling under s29 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

“A ticket was processed on the May 19 2025. Should the cyclist contest the ticket, officers will attend court and present any relevant evidence that we have obtained.”