Safer Cycling

Adjustments will be made on traffic lights to accommodate and give cyclists more time.

17:51 09 June 2015

A new road safety plan involves the use of a new traffic light technology that recognizes cyclists and makes smart traffic adjustments to keep them safe. The plan was unveiled following accidents involving cyclists dying after they have collided with lorries. 

 

The new technology’s main function is to recognize the cyclists and to give them more time to pass to avoid further crashes. The technology has been tried along Cable Street on one of London’s cycling’s superhighways. The traffic signal timings are automatically adjusted when the system detects a high number of cyclists particularly at key junctions during peak periods. 

 

Currently, the Transport for London is testing two types of technology, one radar-based and one thermal-based, which measures the heat of riders as they enter the detection zone. These two technologies will also be tested along the cycle of superhighway before being rolled out citywide. 

 

London mayor Boris Johnson said: "Once again, London leads the way as we host world-first trials of technology that has the potential to bring significant benefits to cyclists.

 

"With record numbers taking to two wheels, we are doing everything we can to make our roads more inviting places to be."