Bow roundabout is better, but not by much, say cyclists

Cyclists say one of London’s most notorious junctions remains dangerous despite a new traffic light system which is meant to improve safety.

Two “bike only” lights have been installed at Bow roundabout to allow cyclists to move forward a few seconds before vehicles, cutting the risk of accidents.

The change came about following the deaths of cyclists Brian Dorling, 58, and Svitlana Tereschenko, 34, who were both killed by left-turning lorries at the roundabout last year.

Transport bosses say the lights and a new kerb separating bikes from other vehicles will cut the risk of cyclists being knocked down by left-turning traffic.

After getting a head start on traffic driving alongside them, cyclists have to stop at a line several metres further on and wait for the main traffic light to go green before they can cross.

But cyclists today said they were still concerned about the junction and that the new lights might lead them to ignore the second traffic light and cycle into the path of vehicles going across the junction from their right.

Dalibor Jokic, 30, a security officer from Stratford, said: “They have improved it; before it was too dangerous. I heard about the two deaths and I was quite worried. Now when the light is green for cyclists I think I can go through. It is confusing. The light goes green and some people might think it is OK to go through the roundabout. Otherwise I think it is a good idea.”

Glenford Peart, 52, a painter and decorator from Leytonstone, said: “It is a good idea, you have a head start which is good but I thought it would stop traffic coming from the right. I think it will cut accidents. Sometimes traffic cuts across so now with the kerb it is much safer. I think they should do this elsewhere as some cyclists go through the red lights to beat the traffic.”

Matt Hawkins, 25, a chef from Mile End, said: “Personally I am not a massive fan. It is a false security in a way. When the lights go green you think you can go through. It makes you think you have the right of way but you still have left-turning traffic. I don’t use it. I prefer just to get in with the traffic. It is not clear.”

David Satas, 24, a delivery worker from Beckton, said: “It is not good. I don’t think it is safer now. There are no traffic lights for cars coming across the roundabout.”

The new lights went live a week ago but were covered up during the bank holiday weekend after Transport for London saw “teething problems”.

The kerb has now been shortened to stop vehicles clipping it, while one traffic light pole has been moved to make it clearer for cyclists.

Leon Daniels, managing director for surface transport at TfL, said: “The innovative new scheme at Bow roundabout has been designed specifically to improve cyclist journeys at this junction. Small changes that we have made to the new layout in the last few days have helped to iron out any initial teething problems with the operation of the junction, as well as further clarify how cyclists should use the new safety layout.”

A spokesman said TfL would continue to monitor the roundabout to observe road-user behaviour and try to address issues as they arose.