Glasgow expands ‘UK first’ cycle-activated safety signs

Glasgow City Council has expanded cycle-activated electronic safety signs across neighbourhoods following a pilot.

The LED warning signs illuminate a cycle symbol to alert drivers to the presence of cyclists and are designed to reduce incidents of conflict – particularly where travel routes cross junctions or building entrances.

Prompted by cycle movement, the solar-powered electronic signs have now been installed at 14 locations. Glasgow was the first UK authority to trial the technology in 2020.

“Four weeks after installation of the first electronic sign at the junction of Berkeley St/Claremont St in 2020, independent evidence showed that recorded incidents of conflict between cyclists and vehicles at this junction dropped from 17 to 8 percent,” a spokesperson from Glasgow City Council told Cities Today.

“The effectiveness of the new infrastructure was measured through the study of video evidence which captured footage prior to installation and again once installed.

The survey was repeated one year later under the same conditions.

“Overall, the percentage of conflicts decreased from the baseline of 17 to 11 percent which whilst slightly higher than the results shown in the post-installation survey of 2020, still represented an improvement from pre-installation levels,” the spokesperson said.

Safer cycling

Part of this development work involved securing a dispensation from Transport Scotland to use an electronic variant of the standard ‘Cycle Route Ahead’ sign – making it the first road sign of its type anywhere in the UK.

The initial and subsequent installations of the signs was grant-funded by ‘Cycling Walking Safer Routes’ from Transport Scotland, which promotes cycling, walking or road safety projects.

Councillor Angus Millar, Transport and Climate Convener, Glasgow City Council, said: “We want people to think of cycling as accessible, safe and attractive, and as an everyday transport mode and leisure activity.

“Creating a safer cycling city is a key element of our Cycling Plan in which we have pledged to improve safety for cyclists by providing better facilities and encouraging mutual respect between all road and path users.

“Initiatives such as this which focuses on reducing potential incidents on our road network benefit all road users and highlights our resolute commitment to making cycling an enjoyable and viable way to get around.”

Glasgow also recently started testing a wireless technology that helps a ‘bike bus’ of schoolchildren cross busy junctions safely.

Image: Glasgow City Council