Transport for London is pushing for a trial of new eye-level traffic lights that they say will save the lives of cyclists in the capital.
The Dutch-style lights could be programmed to give cyclists a head start at busy junctions, similar to the Bow roundabout that was redesigned following multiple accidents.
Nine cyclists have died in London so far this year.
Managing director for surface transport Leon Daniels told the Evening Standard that consultation with the Department for Transport was required as use of the lights would require legislation.
“We’ve recently held early meetings with the Department for Transport to explore options for new traffic signals which we believe will make cycling safer," he said.
In a letter to Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly, Mr Daniels added: “If approval of an on-street trial cannot be granted before 2014, TfL will look to carrying out off-street trials instead.”
Ms Pidgeon, who has been campaigning for cycle safety measures, said: “The Department for Transport must allow TfL to catch up with best international practice.”
The lights are used on the Continent, in countries including the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.
It is believed that it could speed up the journeys of riders, making them less likely to put themselves in harm's way by running red lights.
Gerhard Weiss of the London Cycling Campaign said: “This would be a good idea but it must be led by demand. We wouldn’t want putting signals everywhere to be seen as a solution to the safe cycling problem. It’s not quite as simple as that.”
Glad I never lent him my bike.
Comment to win you say, hmm I wonder what to write?
Seems the only reason to be bothered by this is if you're branding-conscious and don't want to be seen on Tiagra, which is by all accounts...
50kmh is 25% faster than 40kmh, obviously a ludcrous and typo-caused improvement.
It feels to me like the door is being left open for some new entrant in the bike component market. A manufacturer of 10 speed mechanical shifting...
I once knew some weight lifters and they said this was pretty common. Like you I left mine when I could have fixed it earlier. Finally did...
Know what you mean. Out round the paths this evening, people moved thickly, cats didn't trot aside and even the birds seemed lazy.
Don't hold your breath waiting for the police to take any interest or action in that part of the world. They don't give two sh*ts about cyclists. ...
I've already made his acquaintance!
Not really a cycle lane though, looks more like the area of the road you shouldn't cycle in, to be safe please cycle further out than this green patch