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Left-turning cyclists could be exempt from stop signs
David Williams and Danny Brierley16.10.08
CYCLISTS could be allowed to ride through traffic lights on red if they are turning left, under a bold new initiative in London.
Transport chiefs believe it could improve traffic flow and deliver a huge safety boost to cyclists.
Cyclists would not have to wait to turn left at traffic lights, where they are at high risk from trucks and buses also turning left.
Transport for London officials have applied to the Department for Transport to run trials of the scheme.
Rob Gifford, director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said he welcomed the trials. But he added: "Pedestrians might well say, 'What about us when we are crossing on a green man and a cyclist comes around the corner?' On one hand we want cyclists to obey the law but on the other we let them 'break' the law. It could send a mixed message to cyclists, some of whom appear not to comply with the law when they can get away with it."
The trials could prove controversial with motorists already angry at what some perceive to be a high level of lawlessness among a minority of cyclists. Some motoring groups reacted with disbelief earlier this year when Kensington and Chelsea council said it would allow cyclists to ride the "wrong" way along one-way streets in a trial in six roads.
A spokesman for TfL said: "We are looking at initiatives which will contribute to the potential to improve traffic flow but which will require government permission, such as 'cycles turn left on red' while of course, giving way to crossing pedestrians."
Similar policies exist for cars in parts of Europe and in the US where motorists, who drive on the right, are allowed to turn right at red lights.
Transport commissioner Peter Hendy also confirmed that plans are under way to launch a cycle hire scheme in London, covering the zone-one travelcard area, with at least 6,000 bicycles in May 2010.
The scheme is similar to a free cycle hire initiative that has proved popular in Paris. The move is backed by London Councils in a new report, 'Breaking Down Barriers To Cycling In London'.
But the report points out that a cycle hire scheme will only help central London, and has made a series of recommendations for improving cycling facilities across the capital.
Reader views (49)
SOO many sterotypical attitudes. We all know that a car driver has never gone through a red light, but every single cyclist goes through them. Utter Rubbish!
I think allowing left turns on red is a sensible idea for everyone.
I think forcing cyclists to have numberplates, etc, is a stupid, ignorant attitude. Why not force peds to have a number plate...or tatoo one onto the back of a horse?
As for insurance, I have third party insurance and I think in general cyclists should definitly think about it.
As for, "cyclists" putting everyone's lives in danger. I've had, maybe one or two problems with other cyclists (either when in the car, or cycling, or walking), a few more with peds not looking and things...and the most with vehicle drivers.
- Thomas, Surrey
Martin, are you sure it's just cyclists that need to show other road users more consideration?
- Aj, London
I thought we already were?
- Steve, London
No !
Cyclists should obey the Highway Code, show a little more consideration for others (especial pedestrians), have compulsory insurance and an identifiable license plate.
- Martin, London
I was until recently living in Florida and you can turn right on a red light, provided your route is clear. This works perfectly (although they do drive on the wrong side of the road there) and keeps traffic flowing. Lets bring it in for all vehicles
- Peldon, London
As a cyclist it would be a joy to turn left on a red light, but I don't see it working where there are also pedestrian crossings involved. The majority of cyclists would zip through the red lights and totally ignore any pedestrians crossing. So few cyclist obey the law already and giving them permission to do something which is fundamentally illegal will only encourage them. So my vote would have to be against it, whatever the benefits for myself.
- Kitty Bishop, London
Why do cars have to wait when turning left? Never used to.
- Bob, Bristol
Why not let them be immune from the traffic laws and let them do what they want, then when they get killed they will only have themselves to blame and it wont be everybody else's fault! there will be less of them on the roads and the 'problem' will slowly cure itself!
- Peter, Hartlepool, UK.
In response to the hippy drivel written by Ade of London - the reason everyone's going on about what cyclists do is because we're writing in response to an article about CYCLISTS. There are plenty of other opportunities for you to go and complain about car drivers if that's what you want to do. We all know pollution from traffic isn't good for us, but as individuals cyclists CAN CHOOSE NOT TO RIDE ON PAVEMENTS WHICH TERRIFIES THE ELDERLY IN PARTICULAR. Clear enough?
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
What good will cycle tests do?
You need to pass a test to drive a car, and morons still manage to pass...
- Philw, Notts
As I cyclist, I wish people would stop having a go at us. For every cycle on the road, it is one less car and therefore less pollution for use to breath.
Yes some drive through red lights like nutters or cycle on the pavement. But on my 10 mile cycle a day in central London I have seen alot worst, mainly taxi's and buses.
I dont think cyclists should be allowed to go on pavements which we all complain about. But please, please, why does no one complain about the pollution coming from car exhausts that are back to back along the pavements we walk. This is surely much more of a danger to us. The endless lines of traffic waiting for the lights, all gushing out exhaust fumes into the very air we breath. It is easier to see a mad cyclist driving on the pavement than it is to see invisible fumes coming from all the car exhausts. And I know which one is more of a danger.
Could I please say to all motorists that get pissed off by cyclists pushing to the front of the queue at red lights. The reason we do this is not to push in and get to the front. If is because of fumes coming out of the back of your car. You try standing at the back of your own car and not feel dizzy breathing in all that pollution.
I wish we could put all motorists on a bike for a week, and all cyclists in a car for a week. That way we might learn to love each other a little more. Of at least understand just how difficult it is on a daily bases to have to struggle through London traffic.
- Ade , London
Just have proper cycle lanes like the dutch do. Pedestrians have their pavement, cyclists have their lane & roads users have their lane too. All seperated by concrete. There, everyone is happy.
- Dom, London
About time to bring in Cycling Tests, no licence, no cycle.
- Vince London, West London
Yes, I think they should be able to turn left on a red light, but I don't think they should be getting away with everything else they do on a daily basis, such as going straight across on red lights, wrong way down one way streets, riding on pavements. I don't think most cyclists even realise they are doing anyhing wrong or that the highway code applies to them.
- Deborah, London
cyclists will still die whether we have this law or not.
the reasons:-
a/ not understanding whats going on around them.
b/ poor or no training to counteract a/
c/not thinking (concentrating) on whats going on around them
d/ having an 'attitude' (your not entitled to be here, i know best, i'm better than you, your responsible for what happens not me, etc)
having driven trucks & buses and ride both cycles & motorbikes here is an example:-
due to basic rules of geometry, the rear axle (wheels) of any long wheelbase (gap between front & rear axles) will , in a turn (ie curve), always scribe a smaller circle than the front. the back of the vehicle will cut in no matter what.
the driver no matter how good they are, or how many mirrors they have CANNOT see everything. also once the vehicle starts moving the diver must look forward, left right, etc as well as in their mirrors.
PLEASE, don't be stupid, play chicken, or think its somebody else's responsibility - it's your decision
DO NOT (EVER) GO UP THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF A TRUCK OR BUS
UNLESS YOU CAN GET IN FRONT WHERE THE DRIVER CAN SEE YOU
- Michael, mitcham, uk
Jl, London - As you demonstrate, there are stupid cyclists out there, but the number of times I have been cut up by moped and motorbike riders is extraordinary. The other thing I frequently see is motorcyclists blocking cycle lanes and sat in ASL boxes.
As for mirrors on bikes, they are completely pointless, it is far easier to glance over the shoulder which gives cyclists a much wider viewpoint. Motorcyclists and other motorists need mirrors purely because their rear view is obstructed either by the frame of the car, or by a helmet. Cyclists have a much clearer viewpoint than other road going traffic.
- Mcw, London
Whilst riding to work this morning (on a motorbike) I had a cyclist nearly have me off because the left of his lane was blocked with traffic waiting at a red light. He decided to take his life in his hands and without even looking just swerved straight out in front on me causing me to brake heavily. It's about time theye were made to have mirrors and use them. And if he had caused me to come off then that would have been down to me as cyclists do not have insurance.
Then after parking my bike I was walking across the crossing at Aldgate and whilst on a green man for me to cross two cyslists cam straight through their red light and one even had the audacity to ring his flipping bell to make pedestrians move out of his way. If I had been a foot nearer to him I would have pushed my arms out in self defence of course.
- Jl, London
Aren't cyclists exempt from all laws of the road? They certainly seem tpo think so.
- L.Taubler, London / UK
Andy, and all cyclists out there - if you join the London cycling campaign you get free third party insurance. When a cab knocked over my husband (not seriously) the driver admitted fault but grumbled about cyclists not having insurance. How sweet to be able to say 'well actually, I do'.
- Claire, London
So far this year there have been at least 8 cyclists killed by lorries (HGVs). The most common cause was the lorry turning left and crushing the cyclist. Allowing cyclist to get out of the way of left-turning lorries by passing through red lights will help. Of course cyclists must always give way to pedestrians, and particularly at pedestrian crossing points.
This sounds like a very sensible idea that could save lives.
- Jack, London
I am so sick and tired of cycle bashing. Perhaps those who spend so much time whining on about cyclists should get off their fat backsides and try it themselves. Perhaps after a couple of weeks on 2 wheels they may actually see first hand what we have to put up with and it may actually enhance everyones sense of awareness and make them more aware of the dangers of the roads.
- Paul Humphreys, Essex
In the USA, a few people are killed every year because of this rule, but it speeds up the traffic, so at least they didn't die in vain.
"Should let all traffic turn left on a red, not just bikes. It works in USA, no reason why it won't here"
- Kevin Mcgowan, Woodinville, USA
Should let all traffic turn left on a red, not just bikes. It works in USA, no reason why it won't here.
- Oscillator, London UK
Steve, Dalston
The operative word there was "mutual". That means it has to work both ways, in case you haven't figured it out.
Left turn against the lights would work fine, both for vehicles and cyclists (works fine here in the States) - but it isn't a right of way. Its filtering into the right of way when there is space and time to do so. You can bet there would be a whole bunch of cyclists (and drivers if they ever get the same ruling) who would treat it otherwise.
It requires road courtesy - something that appears to be lacking across the board in the UK, from what I can see.
- Rogan, Irving
This would allow cyclists to turn left on a red light even when pedestrians are, legally, crossing at a green man to the cyclist's left - chaos and injury predicted. How about cyclists getting insurance?
- Andy, London
Cyclists break enough traffic laws already without giving them permission to legally break even more. They are without any form of registration or licensing or insurance.
No to further concessions to breaking road laws.
- A. Winsor, Southampton, England
"Pedestrians should cross at proper crossing points only and only when the green man shows" - Mcw, London
Sure, so when you're out walking you always use a crossing 50 metres down the road when you want to go into a shop straight across the road from you!
- Gary T, Epsom
About time too. Cyclists and pedestrians should be able to share the streets, it just takes a bit of eye-contact and mutual respect. Not very much compensation for the allowing of motorbikes into cycle/bus lanes however.
- Steve, Dalston, Hackney
@Katie ... The cycle scheme in Paris doesn't provide helmets, and is a jump on/jump off setup ... You are more than welcome to carry a helmet around with you for 24 hours, 7 days a week just in case you decided to cycle a mile down the road on a rental bike.
This turn left debate has brought out the "cyclists are crazy" brigade. I cycle daily and stop at all red lights (wishing I could turn left at my discretion), and notice that the majority of cyclists do stop for the traffic lights. The minority who cycle through red lights, generally do so at a leisurely pace (I know this because more often than not I will re-overtake them once the lights have turned in my favour).
Before implementing this left turn rule, the law should be changed so as to allow motorists who stop in the ASL (Advanced Stop Line) be fined and given points and for this to be doable using CCTV. Whenever I signal to a driver that they are in an ASL, it *always* results in verbal abuse from the drivers, sometimes they move towards physiical abuse, or even trying to run me over. This space is put here for a reason, to keep cyclists safe from being run over - the exact point that this left turning rule is trying to help with.
However, policing this will never happen, just as many drivers continue to use their handheld mobile phones whilst driving, so many cyclists take their safety into their own hands and will accept any punishment that is rarely enforced.
- Nick, Surbiton
I am a cyclist and I don't stop at red lights. I used to but I have been knocked off twice now an it is just too dangerous not to go through lights. I am always respectful of pedestrians though. My rule is trust no-one. Assume everyone is just about drive into you and you'll be alright. I'd rather get a fine than be killed!
- John Brewer, London, UK
The Paris cycle hire scheme mentioned in the story isn't actually free at all. To hire a bike you have to buy a subscription (1 euro/day, 5 euro/week, 29 euro/year). That permits you an initial half hour of use for free. The second half hour is 1 euro, the third is 2 euro, and after that it's 4 euro per subsequent half hour. The idea is to encourage short, frequent use of the bikes, and discourage long-term hire.
- Trevor Parsons, Shoreditch, London, England
When will (some)pedestrians stop at red lights?
When will pedestrians look when they step onto the road at freely chosen place?
When will car/bus drivers take notice of cyclists?
When will drivers stop using a mobile phone while driving?
There are some bad cyclists, there are some bad pedestrians and some very bad drivers.
There are also some good cyclists, some good pedestrians and some good drivers. Lets just respect each other and stop being so selfish.
over 20yrs on the bike in London
- Londoner, london
So amusing to see people baying for blood and demanding that cyclists stop at red lights. What about pedestrians? They cross willy nilly anywhere and at junctions are not obliged to wait for the green man. I have been knocked off my bike several times by stupid pedestrians walking off the edge of the pavement without looking. Pedestrians should cross at proper crossing points only and only when the green man shows
- Mcw, London
So they go through the red light and turn left straight under the wheels of a bus. Brilliant!
- Harpie, london
To everyone who is being dramatic and predicting Armageddon should this proposal be given the green light (sorry, couldn't resist), no-one is suggesting that by allowing a cycle to pass through a red light, the cyclist will have priority. The cyclist would have to treat a red light as a give way so if there is a pedestrian crossing then the cyclist would be obliged to give way. If a cyclist flouts this then they are commiting an offence and can be charged accordingly. I am a cyclist and also pass through red lights. However, I always do so cautiously and only do so if there is no-one crossing a crossing etc. It is all about common sense.
- Ross, London, UK
It works in America where, in certain circumstances,
you may turn right on a red light. Why not turn left on
a red light if safe to do so?
- J Ryan, London
What a stupid and dangerous idea, the first one to hit me will get assaulted.
Like the one last week at Monument.
- P I Staker, london
Katie, if the girl in the photo were in a collision with a motorised vehicle, it would make scant difference to her safety. Cycle helmets are designed for use in impacts of 12 miles an hour or less, not in collisions with fast moving cars or lorries. However, allowing her to turn left on red, rather than face going under the wheels of a lorry or being squashed against the pedestrian guard rails at a corner, would actually make a huge difference to her safety.
- Helen, Surbiton, Surrey
and how many people are going to get run down by speeding cyclists.................what a bloody stupid idea!
- Corrina Stokes, London
I do not worry so much about cars and Lorries, they know the road code.
The biggest worry in London is as a pedestrian stepping off on a green light. Bicyclists seem to think pedestrians should not be allowed. I have been nearly knocked flying by cyclists who do not stop at lights and saw a cyclist hit someone last week as they crossed on a Zebra crossing.
Cyclists in London are dangerous!
- Minnie Ovens, USA
no - absolutely no. cyclists should not be allowed to cycle through stop signs. what about pedestrians. walking is the greenest form of transport, and we are being put in danger daily by reckless, careless cyclists.
- Josh, london
This girl would have a bigger chance of survival if she was wearing a helmet!
- Katie Gibbon, London
When I was in Germany I saw that many lights give cyclists a 5 second head start. This is fine but this measure has not been thought through. Often there will be people cossing on the 'green man' and it would be even worse as the 'road warriors' would think they are in the right! Join up thinking although I know government find this a tricky concept!
- Michael, London
Why not? They already turn right or go straight ahead at red lights.
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE .
Yeah go on give them the go ahead to ligitimately mow down pedestrians
- Jl, London
No change there then (apart from when they're turning right when the light is red).
- Sue, Orpington, kent
Why not cars too?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
What about Pedestrians trying to cross the road..? Although to be fair it probably won't make much difference as many cyclists just ignore red lights anyway..!
- Shelly, London
Since when did cyclists take any notice of red lights anyway? At least this legalises it. Not much help to pedestrians trying to cross the road though.
- Yvonne, Doncaster, UK
