Barrister's 'No-Handed' Cycling Case Collapses as CPS Withdraws Charges
A barrister who was fined for cycling through the City of London without his hands on the handlebars has had all charges against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. The dramatic development occurred just one day before Paul Powlesland was scheduled to appear at London South-Central Magistrates' Court to contest the penalty.
Last-Minute Withdrawal Sparks Celebration and Criticism
Mr Powlesland, a practicing barrister and climate campaigner, received notification on February 12th that the CPS had discontinued the case against him. Prosecutors stated there was "not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction" regarding the alleged careless and inconsiderate cycling offense.
Taking to social media platform X, the barrister expressed mixed emotions about the outcome. "The CPS have dropped the charges at the last minute & it appears I was correct to stick to my principles that I have done nothing wrong and to demand my day in court," he declared. "I will celebrate tomorrow by cycling through the City no-handed, as I have been doing safely and legally for over a decade."
Viral Video and Human Rights Act Controversy
The case gained significant public attention last year when Mr Powlesland posted a video that has now been viewed more than four million times. The footage showed a confrontation with a City of London Police officer regarding a separate incident where he was ticketed for the same alleged offense.
In the now-viral exchange, the police officer made the controversial claim that "cycling with no hands on the handlebars places others at risk and contravenes Article 2 of the Human Rights Act." Article 2 specifically protects the Right to Life, requiring authorities to safeguard individuals' lives by law. When pressed for clarification, the officer stated simply that such cycling "endangers people on the road."
The Legal Grey Area of No-Handed Cycling
This case highlights a significant legal ambiguity in British cycling regulations. Unlike countries such as Cyprus, which explicitly banned no-handed cycling in 2016, the United Kingdom has no specific law prohibiting the practice. However, police retain discretionary powers to penalize cyclists they deem to be riding dangerously or without proper control of their bicycles.
The Highway Code provides guidance rather than explicit prohibition. Rule 66 advises cyclists to "avoid any actions that could reduce your control of your cycle," while Rule 68 states unequivocally that riders "MUST NOT ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner." Mr Powlesland was originally penalized under Section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which addresses careless and inconsiderate cycling.
Frustration Over Resource Allocation
Despite the favorable outcome, Mr Powlesland expressed considerable frustration about the process. "Whilst I'm glad that I don't have to go to court tomorrow, I'm annoyed that City of London Police have been able to waste my time and taxpayers' money pursuing something so trivial and which is clearly not illegal," he stated.
The barrister questioned the priorities of law enforcement, suggesting that "going to court for this incident must be good news as it means City police must have solved all of the robberies, burglaries, fraud, assault, bike theft, dangerous driving and other serious offenses." He challenged the justification for "spending lots of taxpayers' money, days of officer time, and a day of time in our horrendously backlogged courts" on a matter he believes is not illegal.
Police Statement and Ongoing Debate
A spokesperson for City of London Police confirmed the discontinuation, stating: "We note the decision from the Crown Prosecution Service to discontinue the case against Mr Powlesland for careless and inconsiderate cycling under s29 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 on 5 March 2025." The police explained that "a fixed penalty notice was issued after an officer observed him riding with his arms stretched out and not holding the handlebars of his bike during rush hour."
The spokesperson clarified the timeline of events, noting that the viral social media post from July 2025 showed an interaction from April 2025, while the actual ticketing occurred in March 2025. "The cyclist was not ticketed on this day, but he had approached the officer because she had issued him a ticket on the 5 March 2025 in the City of London," the statement explained.
Mr Powlesland remains unconvinced by the CPS's reasoning, arguing that "the facts have always been agreed: I was cycling down Bishopsgate without my hands on the handlebars." He contends that "the only thing in dispute is whether such actions constitute a crime" and believes the CPS should acknowledge that cycling without hands is not illegal rather than citing evidentiary concerns.
The case has sparked broader discussion about cycling regulations, police priorities, and the interpretation of traffic laws regarding bicycle control and safety on Britain's increasingly congested urban roads.
