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Cycle hook turn a New Zealand first
New Zealand’s first hook turn for cyclists will soon be installed
in Christchurch, at the Memorial Avenue and Greers Road
intersection. The hook turn is a key part of a set of road-safety
improvements for cyclists around Burnside High School.The safety
problem at the intersection was found through the City Council’s
Safe Cycling to School project. About 600 Burnside pupils ride to
school, the highest number of any city school. Many said high
speed and heavy traffic makes it difficult for them to turn right
from Memorial Avenue into Greers Road. The hook turn lets
cyclists keep left and gives them a right turn over two green-light
phases. In the first phase they can cross Greers Road to a special
red-marked area, where they wait for a second green light to
cross Memorial Avenue. Victoria Lawson, the Council’s Cycle
Planner, says hook turns reduce conflict between cyclists and
motorists and improve cyclist safety. “It’s an alternative to making the normal right-turn manoeuvre,
for cyclists who’d feel safer using this option,” she says. “It’s not a
legal requirement to turn right using a hook turn.” For further information, call Victoria Lawson on 941 8614. |