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Cyclists in Paris get the green light to jump red

The Local/AFP
The Local/AFP - [email protected]
Cyclists in Paris get the green light to jump red
No need to wait for the green light. Photo: AFP

Cyclists in Paris will now legally be able to do what most of them having been doing for years – jump the red light instead of waiting for it to go green. Authorities claim the new system is safer.

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With more and more Parisians and tourists getting on their bikes around the French capital, authorities in the capital have moved to try to make the city safer for cyclists.

A pilot scheme has been trialled over recent months that allows cyclists to go through certain red lights and after being deemed a success it will be rolled out at intersections across the city this summer.

Essentially up until now cyclists are subject to the same rules of the road as motorists, meaning they are required to wait until the light goes green before they move on.

If they jump the light they could be subject to a fine or at least a stern telling off from a police officer if they are caught.

But in future the new scheme will allow cyclists to carry straight on or turn right without waiting for red, although it will depend on each intersection.

Cyclists will be able to identify the intersections by spotting “Give way to cyclists” (cedez le-passage-cycliste) sign that will be displayed on the traffic lights.

Authorities in Paris say the pilot scheme showed that allowing cyclists to pass red lights did not lead to accidents and it helped avoid certain risks involving stationary vehicles, notably around blind spots.

The sign however will not mean cyclists get priority, only that they are allowed to proceed with caution and allow pedestrians and cars to pass if they are in the way.

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