This article was published in 2001, in Newsletter 37.
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| A junction in Groningen, Netherlands. Here cycles get to go in all four directions at once while all the rest of the traffic is stopped. | Aarhus, Denmark: like most European countries, cyclists have their own lights which are easier to see. |
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| Hills Road: cyclists only get half the straight on time that motorists do |
We are proposing to set up a working group to look at how traffic signals help and hinder cyclists. We will consider whether there are changes that could be made to specific junctions, or junctions in general, that could increase safety, reduce delays and remove discrimination against cyclists.
For example, while the cycle lights at the junction of Hills Road with Brooklands Avenue make it easier to use the junction, it is a common cause of complaint that cyclists get only half the straight-on time that cars are allowed.
Also, we might want to consider whether cyclists can be exempted from the need to stop on some left turns (as is commonly the case in other countries), or along the straight-on arm of the ‘T’ in a T-junction with lights.
And what about cyclist eye-level lights?
The outcome of the working group will be another in our series of position papers. Whilst there will inevitably be some overlap with our report on Advanced Stop Lines, this time we will be concentrating on other aspects of traffic signals.
If you would like to help, we are arranging a first meeting of the group on Thursday 16 August. This will be at 8 pm at Nigel Deakin’s house, 35 Ainsworth Street. If you can’t make that but have thoughts you would like to contribute, please get in touch.
David Earl