The policy director of Lime Bikes in the UK has called on Transport for London to retime their traffic lights to enable smoother, less disruptive journeys on two wheels.
Writing in MyLondon, Hal Stevenson welcomed TfL’s recent policy announcement that they would give buses priority at all 3,500 relevant signals across London by 2030. But he added that such adjustments mean “cyclists shouldn’t be left on red.”
“Faster, more reliable buses will make travel easier for Londoners, build a more resilient public transport network and ultimately help shift us further away from car dependency.” Stevenson wrote, before adding that “buses aren’t the only ones affected by how traffic signals are timed.
“Cycling now accounts for up to one in five trips in central London, with cycle traffic at peak times exceeding cars. Despite this, signal timings remain set around motor traffic speeds, which can lead to frequent stopping and less smooth journeys for people on bikes.”
Stevenson also pointed towards London’s counterparts on the continent that have embraced “green wave technology” for cyclists.
“Other leading cycling cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam show what’s possible. ‘Green wave’ technology, which rewards cyclists travelling at a safe, consistent speed with a sequence of green lights, has improved safety and rider behaviour while reducing journey times at relatively low cost.
“It could also help address red-light running. Research suggests this behaviour can be driven by cyclists trying to escape unsafe situations, like feeling exposed to traffic at junctions.”
Green wave technology enables traffic lights to be synchronised so as to enable road users moving at a certain speed to be met by a succession of green lights, rather than the more typical stop-start experience. By reducing the volume of red lights faced by cyclists, it is expected that the cases of red light jumping will decrease. Better physical infrastructure is also associated with reducing one of the primary incentives for cyclists to jump red lights, the threat of riding in and among vehicles.
> London campaigners welcome tech that lets cyclists turn lights green
Campaigners in London have called for green wave technology to be introduced for more than a decade. Last year, Dublin City Council approved plans to introduce the initiative in the city’s College Green bus corridor. Similar measures are already in place in Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
As Lime bikes have surged in popularity, most notably during last year’s London Underground strikes, so too has the businesses’ influence on transport policy. However, the business has also been criticised for the safety and maintenance of its hire bikes as well as a shortage of marked bicycle parking that has led to pavement congestion in the capital, and even legal action.
The business has since expanded to several more cities and counties beyond the capital. Last week, the West Midlands Combined Authority confirmed Lime would replace Beryl as the region’s hire bike provider.
8 thoughts on “Lime bike boss proposes adjusting traffic lights “to reward safe cyclists””
Never mind green wave, what about more intelligent lights?
Or perhaps just ones that are not set to serve motorists above all interests.
A very sensible idea and long overdue.
Whilst they’re changing the lights, can they reduce the wait after the pedestrian beg button. My local crossing waits 24 seconds, which just means that I cross the road without protection most of the time, or when it is used, the drivers are left waiting on red at an empty crossing, as the pedestrian has already crossed and is long gone.
Car centric Pottyboro is just as bad, except you’d only cross on red in the early or late hours or you’d be dead and even when folk have the green man there’s a lot of close ones (I’m actually surprised at the crossing there has only been 2 serious accidents in the last 5 years but I guess a lot go un reported). https://maps.app.goo.gl/QpyotpqW7rpr7VuZ7
This was supposed to happen in Bristol recently
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/pedestrians-set-given-priority-over-vehicles-crossings/
As far as I can tell, it hasn’t.
The cynic in me just realised this is a business request from Lime to increase their products’ usage.
If it is seen to be more convenient to cycle, it will go up.
Cha-ching. £$€¥
Whilst I’m against corporations influencing government (usually to the detriment of the public), the benefits to all cyclists means I’m OK with it this time.
One of the biggest reasons people run red lights on Lime bikes is the cost – the clock is ticking the moment you set off.
If they changed the charging model so that the clock paused when riders were stopped at red lights, I think they could massively reduce the amount of risk-taking by their riders.