CYCLISTS caught riding dangerous bikes face a new choice from today - get it fixed or pay up.

Riders will have the chance to take their bikes in for repairs instead of being issued with a £30 fine under the new scheme.

It will target cyclists who flout road regulations by, for example, riding without lights or having faulty brakes.

Cyclists will have 14 days to get the problems fixed at an accredited repairers in the city or face going to court.

However, the project has run into controversy before it has even started because only four cycle repair shops in the city are involved.

Bosses at other stores have told the Daily Echo of their disappointment that they were not even contacted by organisers and knew nothing about the initiative.

But the cycle defect rectification scheme - run jointly by Hampshire police and Southampton City Council - has been welcomed by national cycling groups.

Cyclists pulled over in the scheme will be charged a one-off £3 administration fee by the shop, which will be waived if repairs have to be made to make the bike roadworthy.

Currently up to 150 £30 fixed penalty fines are issued to cyclists across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight every year.

PC Paul Peplow, of Southampton police, said: "By issuing a fixed penalty ticket, the cyclist could pay £30 and still have a dangerous bike. This is a safer option for everybody.

"The cyclist may still be out of pocket, but this will ensure they are road safe, reducing the risk to themselves and other road users.

"Officers from the cycle team will also be issuing warning cards to riders they believe are cycling badly, which they can use as another alternative to issuing penalty tickets.

"Instead of simply receiving a fine, the cyclist will be given advice and education in cycling safely.

"This, coupled with the security advice on the other side of the card, should help cut crime by reducing the number of cycle thefts and further the constabulary's ongoing mission to reduce road casualties."

Jim Hendry, general secretary of the British Cycle Federation, said: "I've not heard of a scheme like this but I'm quite happy with it.

"It will be good as it will educate cyclists rather than just be a punishment system. It highlights the responsibilities that a cyclist has to do to keep his bike in order.

"Unfortunately with cycling, a lot of people get tarred with the same brush and some people think everyone jumps red lights or rides dangerously.

"Most cyclists will have nothing to fear."

Outlets that aren't included have spoken of their disappointment.

Lynne Hayes, manager of Sholing Cycle Centre, said: "We are disappointed not to be included.

"We do offer repairs here and offer customers advice and did not know anything about this."

The four stores participating are GA Cycles, Shirley Road, Shirley; Hargroves Cycles, Millbrook Road; Portswood Cycles in St Denys and Cycle World in Thornhill Park Road.