Skip to main content

UK’s first low level cycle signals installed

The first low level traffic signals specifically designed for cyclists in the UK have been installed in London, following extensive safety trials by Transport for London (TfL) on behalf of the Mayor. Low level cycle signals have been common place in certain parts of Europe for many years, but have never been approved for use in the UK. During off-street trials, which were carried out in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT) last year, more than 80 per cent of cyclists favoured the use of lo
January 27, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The first low level traffic signals specifically designed for cyclists in the UK have been installed in London, following extensive safety trials by 1466 Transport for London (TfL) on behalf of the Mayor.

Low level cycle signals have been common place in certain parts of Europe for many years, but have never been approved for use in the UK. During off-street trials, which were carried out in partnership with the 1837 Department for Transport (DfT) last year, more than 80 per cent of cyclists favoured the use of low-level signals, which repeat the signal displayed on main traffic lights at the eye level of cyclists. The lights have now been installed onto the early-start traffic signals at Bow roundabout.

TfL is hoping to trial low level cycle signals at a number of other locations across London, and also begun work to see where else they could be installed in the future, subject to the on-street trials being successful.

Off street trials of new cycle-separated junctions will begin next month at the Transport Research Laboratory to test fully-segregated approaches to junctions and special cycle-specific traffic lights. These lights have a cyclist phase to guard against conflict with moving and turning motor traffic. Most serious bike injuries and fatalities occur at junctions.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Safety first in the Big Apple
    August 19, 2022
    For a variety of reasons, seniors are particularly vulnerable to traffic violence – but better road design can help. Adam Hill examines New York City’s new plan to keep older people from becoming collision statistics
  • Need for balance on UK speed enforcement funding cuts
    February 2, 2012
    Trevor Ellis, Chairman of the ITS UK Enforcement Interest Group, considers the implications of the UK Government's decision to withdraw funding for road safety camera partnerships
  • Interactive digital map shows road collision history across London
    September 22, 2015
    London’s first interactive digital collision map has been launched by the Mayor and Transport for London (TFL) as part of a continued drive to improve road safety awareness to reduce the number of casualties in the capital. The London Collision Map uses extensive data, collected by the police and held by TfL, to shine a light on road collisions in local areas. This creates a useful new way to inform road users about junctions with high collision histories and aiding improvement work in line with TfL’s co
  • Contracts awarded for London’s traffic signals upgrade
    July 18, 2014
    Transport for London (TfL) has awarded new traffic signals maintenance contracts, worth around US$542 million for up to eight years, which will see the capital’s 6,000 traffic signals upgraded and maintained to the latest, greenest standards. Awarded to Telent Technology Services for west and south-west London, Siemens for north and north-west London and Cubic Transportation Systems for south-east London, the new Traffic Control Management Services contracts will help expand the use of intelligent traf