Intersection Design - The Dutch Way

August 3, 2012

Content

Can the cycling-friendly Dutch model for intersection design apply to North American streets? This video shows how it is possible.

For more visit: bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/state-of-the-art-bikeway-design-or-is-it

Watch Part 2 for real-life examples of this design in action: Intersection Design - Dutch Protective Island

Comments (16)

Comment Feed

A better way...

A better way for bicyclists to travel is on a "GravTrans" (US Patent 8322943). Inclines, bad weather and automobile hazards are all eliminated - even pedaling is virtually eliminated! To help build the first "GravTrans" do the following:
Go to: http://talk.nashvillenext.net/ and create an account (this may take over a day)
Go back into the site and click "reviewed ideas"
Search “GravTrans” (type it in by the magnifying glass)
Click on the link: “My idea is to construct a GravTrans”
Click the red “I second this idea” button on the left

Thanks in advance for your activism!

UtopiaBuilders 17 days ago

trucks

I can see this working, but I can also see this not working. The number of people who run over the curb now, and with huge road trucks turning, that little island is going to get demolished. Nice try, tho. I think that the Dutch citizens are more willing to follow rules than Yanks. People in the states tend to pride themselves on their ability to break the law, be rude, and get away with it. I am always amazed when I run across a person driving a car or truck that actually knows the rules and follows them.

John Trester 22 days ago

Re: "the truth"

The Dutch absolutely do use this intersection design and it's very common. Anybody who has ridden a bike there could attest to this.

Jason 23 days ago

It ain't broke...

The stated problem with the existing right turn lane doesn't really exist. If the car is traveling more quickly than the bike, the driver will have just passed the bike, and will know it's there. If the biker is traveling more quickly, (s)he can swing around the car as it crosses the bike path. If I'm traveling at the same rate as traffic, I will generally ride in the traffic lane.

Others have noted the problem with making left turns (you will always encounter one red light, and frequently will encounter two). Bikers also forced to swerve entering and exiting intersections, which would increase bike to bike collisions dramatically.

Stephen Bomber 23 days ago

unfair

This way cyclists have always a red light if they want to turn left...

Stijn Wens 45 days ago

the truth please... calling you out.

'The truth please' You seem to have all the answers, so much so that you're willing to call Niels Jacobs (Dutch traffic expert), who commented back in August, a liar. Not to mention the Dutch cycling groups who have commented under the youtube version of this video, none of whom seem to dispute its accuracy. If the Dutch 'don't do this', then prove it and show me what they do instead. Otherwise, you're just a troll.

Ed Vorst 113 days ago

the truth please

The dutch dont do this. please dont misrepresent what others are doing and try and sell it as gospel. This appears to be your own suggested way of doing things. The dutch DO NOT do ths. That isalnd at the intersection is not practical, particularly on a route of any bike volume, say in a place like the Netherlands!!! Amazes me how often the cycling community cherry pick or fabricate what is happening in Europe and what can be borrowed. Myth Busted.

the truth please 114 days ago

where to wait

@Chris I think you meant the Dutch, <A href="http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/cycling-past-red-lights-its-legal-in-the-netherlands/#update">here</a> you can see a couple of photos to show you where they wait. There is room enough to wait without blocking the way for other people cycling. The waiting position is far away from the stopline for motorised traffic. That is the whole point of this design: to separate the two. In Denmark with the Danes it is totally different.

http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/cycling-past-red-lights-its-legal-in-the-netherlands/#update

Mark 156 days ago

Roundabouts

I'd like to see how the Dutch handle roundabouts. Here (Wisconsin) we are just beginning to use them, with generally very positive results.

alliwant 192 days ago

Bicycle safety

This is a great idea that needs promoting in the US. As more and more in the US use cycles ... with the price of gas going up ... this is even more important!

Hal Helsley 225 days ago

Where do cyclists wait for red lights?

Question for the Danes: where do bicycles waiting for the red light stand without blocking the bicycles crossing the green light? Is the bicycle stop-line back where the car stop-line is?

Chris 272 days ago

The Dutch Way

It is a simple and safe way for Car, bicycle and pedestrians
Good be very good for North America

GREAT THINKING

Nadia Moalic 279 days ago

Safer, but not safest

Segregating bicycle, pedestrian and auto traffic is certainly a necessity if traffic speeds are intended to be moderate or high (25 mph or more). Furthermore, this Dutch solution shown here is also certainly safer than the standard U.S. designs currently used.

Having said that, it is even safer to lower traffic speeds altogether- i.e., 20 mph or less- and desegregate all traffic modes. Many Dutch towns have done this, too, by eliminating curbs, and virtually all traffic controls, in local areas, and have experienced huge gains in traffic safety as a result.

Christopher Wyatt 280 days ago

Dutch Knowledge

Its definitely a much safer solution, and it can even increase the capacity of a junction with traffic lights. Here in the Netherlands we've much more of these solutions to make (bicycle) traffic much safer and quicker.

Too bad the export of our advanced traffic knowledge isn't a big thing. Nevertheless I think other countries could learn a lot of the Dutch traffic regulation. It's not by coincidence that the Dutch traffic is the safest in the world, despite our busy traffic ánd many cyclists. It probably would be a tremendous challenge for Dutch traffic experts like me to improve safety and traffic flow, but most roads in other countries can be used more efficiently I suppose.

Niels Jacobs (Dutch traffic expert) 282 days ago

great idea

I don't cycle all that much, but I would feel safer if this were the standard when I do. I also feel safer as a driver knowing that that cyclists would be in plain view. Not to mention the fact that intersection collisions between vehicles would be less due to the greater distance from any such danger as a result of the top line being pushed back.

mmmplastic 287 days ago

I love the Dutch!!

this is just so simple and effective and works for both cars, cyclists and pedestrians alike. we should have them over here in the UK too!

Luke Keen 291 days ago