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EIGHT.. Legislation and its enforcement
Changes to legislation
Some traffic lights could also be reworked to benefit both cyclists and pedestrians. The Downing Street/St Andrew’s Street junction is a classic case where the continental style “left on red” system could be tried. This is where cyclists may turn left if no pedestrians are crossing, and works very well abroad.
Naturally, cyclists must stop and give way to vehicles on the crossroad and crossing pedestrians before completing their turn, but often there is little reason why a cyclist – who does not take up a large amount of space – could not turn left safely through specific red traffic lights, if legislation were to permit this, as is often the case in Holland and other areas.
The same could be true where cyclists presently wait at red lights whilst all pedestrian phases have a green. Allowing cyclists to turn and/or cross at the same time would make large junctions such as Silver Street/Queen’s Road safer for those on two wheels and clear the way for those on four.
We believe that there is a strong case for both laws to be changed.
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