A pilot scheme launched by the City of Paris in 2012 had revealed that allowing cyclists to treat red lights as yield signs would ease bike traffic in the city, would not lead to more road accidents, and could even prevent the accidents that sometimes arise due to cyclists in drivers’ blind spots.
A new policy permitting cyclists to ride through red lights under certain conditions will therefore be rolled out between July and the end of September. New signs will indicate when bikes can either turn right or go straight ahead, even when the lights for cars are on red. In all cases, cyclists will still need to yield to pedestrians and any other vehicles that have the right of way.
One problem is that in France and elsewhere on the continent it is customary (and the law?) to yield to pedestrians on turning right (only?) … in Ireland, such a law might lead to increased cyclist / pedestrian conflict?
Hi John,
I don’t think Irish people would find this confusing at all. If a new idea is well publicised, people will understand it pretty quickly. I’ve certainly seen this week, that the introduction of FCN’s for cyclists has changed cycling behaviour. No confusion at all.
I would hope that we could introduce change, like the one in Paris. I also think cycling is still maturing in Ireland and there is bit more to do in changing bad habits. A key element will be the enforcement of FCN’s to cyclists and to motorists.