London campaigners welcome tech that lets cyclists turn lights green

Cycling campaigners in London say new technology being trialled in Denmark that would change lights to green to allow them to ride through could work in London – although one has said that at simpler solution would be to adopt the so-called ‘Idaho Stop’ law.

As we reported earlier this month on road.cc, the Danish city of Aarhus is testing the new technology, which is based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags already used in sectors such as logistics and retail.

> Danish cyclists ride green wave with help of RFID tech

The tags, attached to the bike’s front wheel, communicate with traffic signals ahead and change them to green unless motor vehicles are already going through the junction, thereby speeding up a cyclist’s commute.

David Murray of national cyclists’ charity CTC told the London Evening Standard: “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.”

London Cycling Campaign’s Simon Munk added: “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 RFID tags and ‘green waves’ that are used on the continent makes great sense.

He added: “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”.

However, Donnachadh McCarthy, co-founder of the campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists said there was an easier solution.

“Whilst well intentioned, this is a very expensive and slow way of using technology to introduce what effectively is called the Idaho Law,” he said.

“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.”

Signs permitting cyclists to turn right or go straight on at red traffic signals, assuming the road is clear, are being rolled out at junctions in Paris.

This week, San Francisco’s board of supervisors voted 6-5 to adopt similar legislation – but the city’s mayor says he will veto it, as he is entitled to do on a vote that fails to reach a minimum 8-3 ‘supermajority’.

Mayor Ed Lee said in September: ““The so-called ‘Idaho Stop’, while expedient for some bicyclists, directly endangers pedestrians and other cyclists, and I cannot allow it to become law.

“Trading away safety for convenience is not a policy I can allow this city to endorse.”