thebicycle-friendlytrafficlight-homecrowfietsberaad.docVIP

The bicycle-friendly traffic light Green light for cyclists Everyone hates stopping for a red light. Cyclists too run up against long waiting times every now and then, because not enough attention was paid to cyclists in the initial adjustment of the traffic lights. Real-life examples demonstrate that with relatively simple measures bicycles may continue faster and consequently often safer as well. Almost all provinces and local authorities include in their transportation strategy a phrase that bicycle use should be promoted. Among other things, this can be effectuated by improving the bicycle infrastructure. Tekenen voor de Fiets is an instrument that may be useful in this respect (1). This deals with the five principal requirements: connections, directness, comfort, safety and attractiveness. In the implementation and adjustment of traffic lights the main emphasis is on directness and safety. These factors have a major effect on the other three requirements. This article outlines the current state of affairs in the field of traffic lights from the perspective of a cyclist, describes a number of excellent examples and provides simple suggestions for improvement. Both the examples and the general hints for improvement derive from a best practice study into traffic lights in eight cities. The study is limited to traffic lights within the urban area and leaves alternative solutions, e.g. roundabouts, aside. Waiting times Over the past three years in 115 cities waiting times and passage times at traffic lights have been measured as part of the project Fietsbalans (bicycle audit). Whereas stopping for a red light is really only a waste of time for car drivers, it is also a waste of energy for cyclists: accelerating costs a lot of muscle power and in addition it is a struggle to keep their balance in the time they are cycling slowly. Real-life measurements have recorded the cyclist’s experiences within cities by riding a measurement bicycle along representative