While I’ve argued elsewhere that red traffic lights ought to be reserved for cars, I fully understand it’s difficult for a person with some authority to endorse cycling through red lights. But it’s high time people understand that pulling away from the lights along with all the accelerating cars is a dangerous operation, and possibly creates more danger than the act of cycling through the red light.
Sure, experienced cyclists ought to be able to pull away fast as a tiger well ahead of accelerating cars, what about inexperienced cyclists who don’t have the burst power or confidence to do so? And while it’s true that inexperienced cyclists might increase their risk by jumping red lights, why not make it optional rather than legislating against the entire cycling community?
Don’t forget that traffic lights were invented to aid traffic and pedestrian flow, not to increase safety. Since cycling through them does not affect traffic / pedestrian flow, the original reason does not apply to bikes. Some councils are starting to change the rules to accommodate bikes. In Hackney, cyclists are allowed to go both ways on one-way roads. Other councils are already considering allowing this and it is already common in Europe.
One of the quickest, easiest, cheapest (it’s free) legal measures that can be taken immediately is to allow cyclists to turn left at red lights, provided they give way to all other vehicles or pedestrians who have the right of way. Boris Johnson pledged in 2008 that, as mayor, he would allow cyclists to turn left at red lights. In early 2009, he even he wrote a letter to the DfT outlining his plan. But he never submitted a formal proposal to change the left-on-red law for cyclists, and the issue has pretty much died in London.
In Copenhagen, quite possibly the ideal urban cycling environment, there are dedicated cyclist traffic lights. A similar solution in London would be too costly to implement, but there’s a cheaper alternative: simply lengthen the phase of the yellow light before it turns green. The new rule would be, “Cyclists treat the yellow light as a green.” As little as 3-5 seconds would make a big difference and ought not to anger even the most impatient drivers.
Visualise the new traffic light phasing with an added amber phase following red:
green -> amber (current length) -> red -> pause for opposing traffic -> amber (extended length for bikes to get a head start) -> green
Red and green would continue to apply to all modes of traffic – bikes, cars, motorbikes, buses, etc. The only difference is the amber following the red: its extended length would provide cyclists a head start on motorized vehicles.
I’d love to start a campaign for “left on red for cyclists” or the extended amber light. Thoughts, anyone?
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