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.

Related Content

  • April 29, 2019
    Cost benefit: just $25 boosts pedestrian safety in Florida
    A relatively straightforward change to the way that pedestrians cross the street in a Florida city has made a significant safety improvement. And what’s more, it was cheap, finds David Crawford Installing a lead pedestrian interval (LPI) system at 25 central business district signalised intersections in the Florida city of Lakeland has cut numbers of incidents involving pedestrians by some 60% - at a cost of US$25 for 30 minutes' work, according to traffic operations manager Angelo Rao.
  • August 8, 2016
    Local residents back major safety improvements at Hammersmith gyratory
    Transport for London (TfL) has released the results of the Hammersmith gyratory improvement consultation, which received a high level of public support. Nearly 80 per cent of respondents backed TfL’s plans for improvements, which will significantly improve cyclist safety at one of London's most intimidating and busy junctions. Dedicated cycling crossings will be installed, pedestrian facilities will be improved and a new bus lane added that will boost the reliability of bus services for customers. Th
  • May 9, 2019
    TRL: Cities must do more to help VRUs
    UK cities must learn from the Netherlands and Denmark if active travel and increased safety for vulnerable road users are to co-exist, says TRL’s Marcus Jones Active travel’ refers to modes of transport in which physical effort is required to undertake purposeful journeys - for example, walking or cycling to school, work or the local shops, as well as walking and standing as part of accessing public transport. The benefits of replacing short car journeys with more active forms of transport are obvious. Act
  • February 6, 2015
    HGVs without safety equipment to be banned from London
    Britain’s first Safer Lorry Scheme, a London-wide ban on any lorry not fitted with safety equipment to protect cyclists and pedestrians, has been given the go ahead by the mayor, Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils. The scheme received 90 per cent support in a public consultation Traffic orders implementing the scheme are currently being published. Installation of road signs at the London boundary, training of police officers and information campaigns with drivers and hauliers have all started