Eye-level traffic lights which cyclists say save lives set for London trial

- TfL pushing for trial of new lights at eye-level - Nine cyclists dead on London roads this year so far- New lights could give cyclists their own phase at junctions
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12 September 2012

Traffic lights for cyclists are to be brought in under plans to improve safety on the capital’s streets.

Transport for London has pledged to test the Dutch-style lights, which will be at eye-level and could be staggered to give bikes a head start.

Nine cyclists have died on London’s roads this year but riders claim that giving them a dedicated traffic phase at major junctions like Bow roundabout could help to reduce accidents.

TfL chiefs are holding talks with the Department for Transport about installing the equipment as it would require a law change. But managing director for surface transport Leon Daniels suggested that TfL would press ahead with a trial regardless.

The bike traffic lights, which could feature a green light with a bicycle logo rather than the exisiting “all traffic” signals, are also used in Germany, France, Denmark, Spain and the US.

Mr Daniels said: “We’ve recently held early meetings with the Department for Transport to explore options for new traffic signals which we believe will make cycling safer.”

In a letter to Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly, Mr Daniels added: “If approval of an on-street trial cannot be granted before 2014, TfL will look to carrying out off-street trials instead.”

Ms Pidgeon, who has been campaigning for cycle safety measures, said: “The Department for Transport must allow TfL to catch up with best international practice.”

In the Netherlands, the traffic signals are found on segregated cycleways but also at busy junctions. The signals can be staggered to allow bikes to cross the junction first or programmed to work in waves so that cyclists don’t need to stop at every set of lights.

There is some evidence that the bike traffic signals could reduce accidents as they mean cyclists are less likely to “run” red lights, putting themselves at risk. Gerhard Weiss of the London Cycling Campaign said: “This would be a good idea but it must be led by demand. We wouldn’t want putting signals everywhere to be seen as a solution to the safe cycling problem. It’s not quite as simple as that.”

Your say: ‘Anything that helps cyclists would be a bonus’

Jayne Bull, 44

Design company employee from Wimbledon: “Anything that helps cyclists out would be a bonus. Staggering the traffic in places like Aldwych would be really useful, as it is a nightmare around there.”

Hans Nicolai, 56

Research manager from Stockwell: “Letting cyclists go first is really important. It puts you in front of the traffic, and when cars are making a left turn at lights, it can be dangerous for cyclists on the inside.”

Sophie Jewson, 25

Investment manager from Wandsworth: “I know a lot of people jump the lights. But if there was a specific set for cyclists which meant we could set off a little earlier, that would be great. It’s not very nice having a moped up your bum.”

Richard Pearce, 33

Finance worker from Earlsfield: “Road safety isn’t great. Some cyclists race about, others hang back — there isn’t really a standard cyclist in London. In my opinion the lights for cyclists aren’t really going to solve the problem of safety.”

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