Call to let cyclists ignore red lights

Published on Tuesday 14 April 2009 22:03

PROPOSALS that would allow cyclists to go through red traffic lights legally has divided opinion among transport groups in Scotland.

The idea is being considered in London, where more than a third of fatal cycling accidents involve cyclists being hit by heavy vehicles turning left.

The plan would enable cyclists to turn left through a red light before other vehicles can move, without being fined.

Cycling bodies in Scotland yesterday backed the proposal but motoring and safety bodies warned it could put pedestrians at greater risk.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has written to the Department for Transport (DfT) suggesting the change, which has already been introduced in countries such as Germany.

The move is seen as enabling cyclists to negotiate junctions ahead of other vehicles, but they would still have to give way to pedestrians.

Two female cyclists died in London last week in incidents involving lorries. The two other cyclist deaths in the city this year also involved lorries. Nine of the 13 cyclists killed last year were hit by such vehicles.

Mr Johnson, who is a keen cyclist, was last year accused of riding through a series of red lights while cycling in London.

Sustrans, a cycling development group, welcomed the plans. John Lauder, director of Sustrans Scotland, said: "We want to see cycling made safer and more convenient, and so we support cyclists being able to turn left on red, as happens on the continent, so long as pedestrians don't lose out."

Erl Wilkie, chief executive of Cycling Scotland, which is funded by the Scottish Government, said: "As long as it does not cause conflict with pedestrians and other road users, we would support the extension of the pilot to Scotland."

However, Bruce Young, the Lothian and Borders co-ordinator of the Association of British Drivers, said many cyclists already ignored red lights.

He said: "I thought cyclists had been trialling this for ages. We are likely to see pedestrian injuries on crossings if cyclists are given the OK for this."

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents also said it was unconvinced.

Kevin Clinton, its head of road safety, said: "Certainly, there is an issue with cyclists and other vehicles at junctions, but advanced stop lines are perhaps a better way of dealing with it, rather than altering a fundamental principle of road safety – that red lights mean stop. We would definitely like to see some strong research assessing the safety implications of this proposal."

The DfT confirmed the measure would require a change in the law. A spokeswoman said: "This would need to go through the appropriate parliamentary processes."

The Scottish Government said road safety was reserved to Westminster.