Sandy James links to this piece from BBC Magazine that’s sure to get ’em going.
The city that lets cyclists jump red lights
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Cyclists in Paris no longer have to stop at every red traffic light – new rules mean that in certain circumstances they can ignore the signals and keep going. The aim is to make the city’s roads much safer. …
The latest gift, being introduced over the summer, is a radical step that recognises a regrettable truth: that cyclists in cities often fail to stop at red lights. Rather than step up repression of this misdemeanour, the Paris city authorities have decided to make it legal.
Over July and August, signs are being put up at 1,800 junctions across the capital. They show an upside down triangle, with a picture of a bicycle and an arrow.
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It is important to note that the change only affects right turns or going straight on at a T-junction – in other words where the cyclist can hug the pavement.
At a crossroads, even if there is no traffic, bikes will still have to wait for the green to go straight on. …
“The more cyclists there are, the safer it will be – and not just for cyclists. For everyone,” says Kiki Lambert of the group Mieux Se Deplacer a Bicyclette.
“Because everyone will be going more slowly, and everyone will be keeping their eyes and ears open. And not just waiting for the lights.”
Full article here.
A rare win for common sense.
1. Right turn on red. Yawn.
2. Straight on at 3-ways. Fine, also yawn. Dozens do it on Beatty at Robson every day and there is no purple dot there http://imgur.com/VTHnbYW on the accident hotspot.
Double yawn. Shame on the beeb for their tabloid reporting.
“It is important to note that the change only affects right turns or going straight on at a T-junction – in other words where the cyclist can hug the pavement.”