London cyclists welcome prospect of new kit that turns traffic lights from red to green

London cyclists have welcomed the prospect of new kit that turns traffic lights green saying it could ease congestion if introduced in the capital. Coded wheel tags are being used to trigger the change of lights at some junctions in Denmark in a new trial
ID-Advice
Jamie Bullen15 December 2015

London cyclists have welcomed the prospect of new kit that turns traffic lights green, saying it could ease congestion if introduced in the capital.

Coded tags attached to bike wheels are being used to trigger the change of lights at some junctions in Denmark, in a new trial that could be available to cyclists in other European countries if deemed a success.

The idea behind the technology is to provide a quicker commute for cyclists travelling long distances from into the city centre from the outer suburbs by preventing them from waiting at the lights.

The tags, which are clipped to the front wheel, are read by a sensor that tells traffic lights to turn green as the bike approaches them - unless cars are already passing in the opposite direction.

In Aarhus, Denmark’s second biggest city behind Copenhagen, the scheme is being tested by 200 cyclists at minor junctions, with plans to include busier areas in the future.

In London, campaigners told the Standard they welcomed the idea as a way of improving traffic flow in the city while also suggesting it could increase the safety of cyclists.

The scheme could be brought to London if it is deemed successful 
Jeremy Selwyn

Simon Munk, from the London Cycling Campaign, said: “To make cycling work for far more people, it has to be convenient – and not feel like you’re always being held at lights while cars get to go.

“So trialling ideas like smart lights controlled by RFIDS tags and ‘green waves’ that are used on the continent makes great sense.

“For London to become a truly cycling city, which we desperately need with a booming population and very constrained road space, we also still need lots more protected space for cycling too – that has to be the first priority.”

David Murray, of the national cycling charity (CTC), added: “Any initiative that helps the capital flow more freely has to be a good thing, and even better when it makes cycling look even more attractive as a means of getting about.

“Technology like this has been in use for some time for motor vehicles, so CTC is encouraged to see it moving into supporting the millions of people riding bikes every week.

“It may also discourage red light jumping and therefore make our roads safer”.

But other cycle groups said although the scheme had “good intentions” simpler measures could be introduced to bring about the same result.

Donnachadh McCarthy, co-founder of Stop Killing Cyclists, said: “Whilst well intentioned, this is a very expensive and slow way of using technology to introduce what effectively is called the Idaho Law.

“This law at very low expense would require cyclists in London to treat red-lights as 'yield right of way' signs, allowing them to turn left when there is no traffic or pedestrians.

“This would benefit drivers also as it would reduce cycling congestion at junctions.”

Versions of the Idaho Law are in place in Paris and New York while London’s Mayoral candidates said they supported the idea of it being introduced in London.

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