CYCLING CYCLOPS

Junction named after monster provides safe passage for cars, bicycles AND pedestrians

IT is named after a mythi- cal one-eyed monster and even looks like a big eye.

But officials say there is nothing dangerous about the new Cyclops – that’s a Cycle Optimised Protected signals junction – in Manchester.

in fact, it claims to be the safest for cyclists in the country.

the junction is the first of its type in Britain that allows riders to turn right while being protected from other traffic.

although it looks complicated, with colour- coded lanes separating cyclists from pedestrians and vehicles, it has won the backing of riding and walking groups and senior figures in the cycling world.

Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman, the cycling and walking commissioner for Greater Manchester, called the design ‘simply genius’.

riders approach by one of ‘four arms’ – designated green cycle lanes – and go around the junction in a clockwise circle, following their own traffic-light system of signals.

the layout is also said to eliminate the danger of socalled ‘ left hook’ incidents, where cyclists going ahead are struck by lorries or cars turning left from the same lane.

according to the royal society for the Prevention of accidents, around 100 cyclists were killed on the roads in 2018, with more than 4,000 seriously injured. three-quarters of such accidents occurred in urban areas, and in London alone HGVs account for a fifth all cycling deaths, most often when turning left at a junction.

Mr Boardman added: ‘Crossing busy junctions on foot or by bike can be a complicated and scary experience and having to navigate a number of these can make people opt for the car.

‘Makes journeys smoother’

this junction design will make journeys easier and smoother for those doing their bit by cycling or walking.’

City councillor angeliki stogia said: ‘this UK-first junction is a symbol of our desire to create permanent, high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure.’ the opening of the junction marks the completion of the first part of a £ 13.4million cycling and walking route connecting the city centre to the suburb of Chorlton.

another 30 Cyclops junctions are planned for Greater Manchester as part of the region’s commitment to the Bee network – 1,800 miles of joined-up cycling and walking routes that aim to provide ‘a genuine alternative’ to driving.

the £ 1.5billion, ten- year project will be the biggest in Britain when completed around 2027.

as well as being rolled out across the ten Greater Manchester boroughs, Cyclops junctions are also being tested in neighbouring Lancashire, Cambridgeshire and as far afield as Ottawa in Canada.