The question do cyclist have to stop at zebra crossing? has simple answer. According to the Highway Code, cyclists and motorists must look out for pedestrians waiting to cross at pedestrian crossings and be prepared to slow down or stop to let them cross. Cyclists and motorists must give way when a pedestrian has crossed a crosswalk.
Cyclists’ use of Zebra crossings and the feasibility of facilitating their use by cyclists at selected sites:
This article attempts to summarize what is currently known about cyclist use pedestrian crossings including the legal and regulatory context for non-signals controlled ‘protected’ shared crossings for cyclists and pedestrians (Tiger). AND the meeting was held with walking, disability, road safety and T Fl design experts to discuss the findings of the TRL – Shared Zebra Crossing report studies. It has been agreed to publish the TRL research alongside this T Fl note.
Background of zebra crossings:
1.1 Promoting sustainable travel is a priority for Transport for London modes of transport, especially bus, cycling and walking. To make a difference in travel customs and traffic mix must be understood:
• how London’s road network currently works
• what measures could be put in place to make traveling safer and feel safer
• what is needed to assess comparative risks and to provide legal and regulatory framework that supports walking, cycling, the urban sphere, security, economic, environmental and social inclusion goals.
1.2 The Traffic Management Act 2004 requires this, subject to other principles road authorities will take steps to minimize delays for all road users including pedestrians and cyclists. Signaling can cause both to be delayed traffic and pedestrians, if traffic conditions do not justify it.
1.3 A study on the shared use of zebra crossings was carried out by TRL for TfL in 2005/6. It considered the legal framework different crossing types and studied the current unofficial shared use of six different Zebra site. Conflict analysis was carried out using video surveys of localities, which exhibited moderate levels of risk and conflict, this is widespread in section 4.0.
1.4 Compared to many continental cities where cycling is well provided for, Cycling in London is still quite high risk, high cognitive load activity. These differences may be due to:
• The legal and regulatory framework for UK motorways is extremely complex and at times inconsistent in its application to cycling.
• Tendency towards highway infrastructure and traffic management measures developed over the past 50 years to be “cycle-friendly”
• Wide range of cycling facilities/infrastructure options which are not good understand and can be confusing.
• A significant proportion (at least 50%) of London road users you don’t know the British “Rules of the Road” / Road Act.
1.5 Un signalized “priority” crossings for pedestrians and cyclists are a standard part of the ‘toolkit’ in many parts of continental Europe, but they are not authorized for use in the United Kingdom. These continental crossings are shared or segregated types depending on the country and their standard layout.
Benefits of zebra crossing:
2.1 A “Zebra” type transition has many advantages compared to a signal driven one crossings (of the Tukan type) if the flows of pedestrians and cyclists are not so high that cause excessive traffic delays. These benefits include:
• Lower installation costs.
• signal programming works (availability of “slot”) is not necessary.
• Lower maintenance costs.
• More flexibility in the location of the crossing.
• Less delay, saving travel time for pedestrians/cyclists at the crossing.
• Less effort (due to stop start) for cyclists.
• Traffic delays can be reduced if traffic volumes are relatively low.
• “promotion” of active travel / sustainable modes of transport.
• Greater awareness of the facility (due to striped road markings) by drivers while driving.
2.2 Compared to signalling, there are also some disadvantages of zebras crossings by not displaying any “safe crossing” signal to users, which is a problem especially for some groups of users.
Legalities of zebra crossing:
3.1 Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossing Order a guidelines (1997) give guidance on regulatory frameworks surrounding transitions.
• Crosswalks give pedestrians priority over vehicles on the road roadway.
• Cyclists are vehicles and may ride on parts of the zebra crossing a crossing that is a road if they give way to pedestrians transition or waiting to transition.
• It is not illegal to ride a bike across a crosswalk as long as it is shared on both sides but it is contrary to Rule 64 of the Road Traffic Act which states that cyclists should dismount and cross the pedestrian crossing.
Traffic violations could be used as evidence of an offence, e.g dangerous cycling or evidence of negligence in case of a collision. [To date, there is insufficient evidence to suggest a change in v Rule 64 of the Road Traffic Act is needed and therefore does not apply to T Fl intention to follow this aspect]
• Almost 90% of cyclists in the six researched locations crossed the Zebra by bike crossings.
• The Secretary of State has power to make regulations relating to the priority of vehicles, respectively pedestrians and in general with regard to the movement of traffic (including pedestrians) to and in around crossings. Currently, only pedestrian crossing regulations apply give pedestrians priority over vehicles.
Zebra crossings rules for cyclist:
One of the most common types of pedestrian crossings in Britain is the pedestrian crossing.
You can tell by the series of dark and light stripes painted on the road. So it resembles the “black and white stripes” of zebra fur.
Note: We refer to the Act and Rule 195 of the Road Traffic Act. Motorists must yield to pedestrians using a crosswalk.
Rule 79: Cyclists should not cycle through any pedestrian crossing. The equestrian crossing is intended for horse riders only.
The same rules apply to the crossings of pelicans, puffins and zebras. Cyclists should not cycle or cross the road on this type of road marking.
Note: The correct procedure is to dismount the bike and then ride it over the crossing.
Conclusion:
In this article you should get the essential rules of zebra crossing and get the answer of do cyclist have to stop at zebra crossing? Cyclist and motorist must look out for pedestrians waiting to cross at zebra crossings and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross. It is safety from both sides for pedestrian and cyclist.
