Teenagers filmed cycling through crowds on newly traffic-free Oxford Street

A group of teenagers has been filmed riding bikes through crowds of shoppers on Oxford Street, a day after a large part of the street was closed to all traffic.

Footage shared with UB1UB2 was filmed on the evening of Tuesday 27 October. It shows young people cycling past shops and the new traffic-free signs while people walk between stores and cross in front of them.

The video was filmed on only the second day of the scheme. The first phase of pedestrianising Oxford Street started on Monday 26 October.

What the rules say

Transport for London (TfL) says Oxford Street is now completely free of traffic between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. That is almost a kilometre of the street, running through Bond Street and Oxford Circus.

TfL says no cars, buses, taxis, scooters, pedicabs or bikes are allowed in this area. Mobility scooters and emergency vehicles can use the street at any time.

Delivery and servicing vehicles can reach the pedestrianised sections only between midnight and 7am, using approved access routes. People arriving by bike are expected to use roads around the traffic-free area.

It has not been officially confirmed how the cycling ban will be enforced. Police have not said whether any action was taken over the riders in the footage.

A long-awaited change

Plans to remove traffic from Oxford Street have been talked about for decades. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has tried to pedestrianise the street since 2017 and has said the change will make it greener and give it a new lease of life.

The scheme is led by the Oxford Street Development Corporation. This new body, set up by City Hall, was formed on 1 January 2026 to oversee the regeneration of the street. Several bus routes have been changed to run around the traffic-free section.

Oxford Street is often described as Europe's busiest shopping street. The pavements fill up quickly on weekday evenings and at weekends, especially as the Christmas shopping season begins.

Debate over where cyclists should go

The scheme's first week has started a wider debate about cycling in the West End. The London Cycling Campaign has warned that without safe alternative routes, some people may stop cycling, ignore the ban or take unplanned routes through Marylebone and Mayfair.

Campaigners have called for new protected cycle routes around the street. A large group cycling ride along the pedestrianised section was reportedly held on Sunday 1 November to push for safer routes.

There has also been concern about the safety of people on foot. People in the area have said bikes moving through dense crowds leave little room for shoppers, especially families, older people and people with disabilities.

Anyone who sees dangerous cycling or antisocial behaviour can report it to the police on 101, or on 999 in an emergency.