Can Urban Roads Cope with Cyclists too?

Cycleways. Can cities make space?

I recently was asked to review the configuration of video detection camers on a cycle way at a very busy intersection in the Sydney central business district.

The reason for this was so that the video detection hardware would detect most if not all cyclists and essentially be treated the same a motorist would be making the Traffic Signal Controller give the cycle way its own green light. This is in the form of a pedestrian light fitted with the symbol of a bicycle.

Great idea! A great way to acknowledge the growing popularity of pedal power, but an annoyance to motorists.

The equipment supplied did a great job of detecting those cyclists that followed the rules, and the Traficon cameras provided by ATC Pty Ltd do a great job at detecting them.

The ultimate aim is so that the video detectors can “signal” to the intersection controller that someone is there and wants to cross the intersection. The intersection controller’s job is to “acknowledge” that by allowing a certain amount of “green” time to the cyclist to do so, and not if there is no one “wanting” to cross the intersection.

However, what I noted was that the cycle ways were well patronaged but not to the point of huge popularity. The Sydney Morning Herald was reporting cycle ways are becoming more popular recently.

What I also noted was some cyclists did their best to defeat the detection technology as they stopped “beyond” the cycle way stop bar so that in effect the video detector could not see the “cyclist”.

The result of that could in fact be that the cyclist sits their not knowing they’re being ignored and in frustration crossing illegally when no one is in sight and against the signals or they become frustrated and still move against the signals even though the cycle way is painted green and has well marked “stop bars”.

Having observed the intersection for around a number of hours it appears those who follow the rules outnumber those who don’t by a large margin.

This means that cycle ways that become part of the road network can be integrated without causing huge disruption to motorists.

So the question goes, can busy, congested urban roads cope with cycle ways?

Based on the short observations of the author it “appears” they work well, pedestrians and motorists seem to allow them their time and space at the intersection and if more people take up cycling, it may be a way to reduce congestion of vehicular traffic.

Lets see if governments recognise this as a form of behaviour to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint and congestion in heavily used urban areas.

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