A new code of conduct that requires cyclists not to exceed 20mph in the Royal Parks could prevent the return of the London Duathlon to Richmond Park, it is feared.
The mass participation event, which normally attracts about 4,000 entrants, was shelved last year after weeks of controversy over cycling in the Royal Parks.
Two Richmond Park “time trial” races, organised by the London Dynamo cycling club and first held in 2009, were also cancelled – despite taking place early in the morning on virtually empty roads.
London Dynamo told The Standard on Friday that its events would not take place this year.
The Royal Parks charity, which runs the eight royal parks, has asked cyclists not to exceed the 20mph speed limit for vehicles as part of a “considerate cycling” campaign in the royal parks, which also include Regent’s Park, Hyde Park and Greenwich Park.
The code states: “Do not ride in excess of 20mph in any circumstance and do not use the park roads for unauthorised competitive cycling of any kind.”
Richmond Park Cyclists said in an email to members on Friday: “The focus on 20mph inevitably threatens the park’s two time trials and the London Duathlon ever coming back following their suspension last year.
“To reinstate them would seem to contradict [The Royal Parks’] own code.
“Nevertheless, we will continue to argue for their return, as they are of huge value to the sports cycling community and, more importantly, none of the events have ever had any serious safety issues.”
The decision to axe the three events last summer followed an inquest into the death of an elderly pedestrian, Hilda Griffiths, two months after she collided with a cyclist, Brian Fitzgerald, as she tried to cross a road in Regent’s Park.
Mr Fitzgerald had been doing laps of the park with his cycling club, with the group’s speeds averaging 25mph, when he collided with the 81-year-old in 2022.
Her death was recorded as "accidental" by the coroner. Mr Fitzgerald did not face prosecution.
People competing in the duathlon can do so individually or as part of a team, and choose a half, full or ultra duathlon.
A full duathlon involves a 10km run, followed by a 44km bike ride and a second 10km run.
Last August the organisers of the London Duathlon “regrettably” announced that the event was being cancelled with a month’s notice.
It blamed “a number of unforeseen factors that have led to this difficult decision, particularly in relation to the operational complexity of producing a multi-sport event”.
The London Duathlon added: “This includes an increased focus on the security and logistics of cycling events in public spaces which creates significant operational challenges.”
The London Duathlon website states: “Currently we are not able to confirm whether a 2025 London Duathlon will take place, and we will be working to establish this in the coming months.”
The new code of conduct will be accompanied by new road signs being introduced in the royal parks.
Andy Taylor, chair of London Dynamo, told The Standard: "Unfortunately we are not planning to run our Time Trials this year as The Royal Parks have not changed their position on these events as far as we are aware.
"We think it is a great shame as these have been run for many years and were very well marshalled and run very early in the morning when the park was very quiet.
"The events were fully risk assessed and run under the guidelines of Cycling Time Trials (the national governing body for time trials) and had an impeccable safety record.
"Furthermore, cycling has potentially lost yet another grass roots event which allowed people to develop their riding skills in the safe confines of the park, this was of particular value to youth/juniors, female and para cyclists."
Richmond Park Cyclists said the general aim of the code was “laudable” but it was badly worded – with the 20mph limit being “unenforceable, as there are no legal speed limits for cyclists on any UK roads”.
According to the Office for National Statistics, across the UK, 12 pedestrians died in collisions with cyclists between 2019 and 2023, out of a total of 1,967 pedestrian road deaths – more than 1,000 of which were caused by car drivers and almost 200 by HGVs.
Richmond Park Cyclists said the Royal Parks “should have a code of conduct for everyone who uses its roads, not just cyclists”.
The cycling group added: “By shifting the focus away from safety and on to speed, [the Riyal Parks] is in danger of making the thousands of ordinary folk who choose to cycle in its parks seem like a significant threat to the public, which they are not.”
A Royal Parks spokesperson said: “We have not been approached by the organisers of the London Duathlon or the time trials this year.
"Any cycling events that take place within the parks must undergo a thorough risk assessment and meet the required level of safety measures.
"The Royal Parks will work with any event organiser to establish what these are, depending on the proposed event taking place."
London Duathlon has been approached for comment.
