A study conducted by the Chair of Traffic Engineering - Planning and Management on behalf of the City of Düsseldorf investigated how the red coloring of cycle lanes affects the behavior and sense of safety of road users.

Cyclists often feel unsafe at traffic lights when cars have the green light and turn right at the same time. Accident statistics show that this situation is dangerous. The Chair of Traffic Engineering - Planning and Management has now investigated a section of federal highway 8 in Düsseldorf with seven traffic light intersections. Accident statistics were analyzed before and after the cycle lanes were colored, cyclists were asked about their feeling of safety and the traffic was recorded on video.

The results show that the red coloring increases cyclists' perception of safety and reduces conflicts. 82 percent of the cyclists surveyed felt that the coloring was positive. The number of critical situations with cars turning right decreased significantly. Conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians also decreased. “It would be good to expand the experience by also testing the red coloring for other forms of bicycle traffic guidance and analyzing its effect,” says Dr.-Ing. Julian Schmitz, research assistant at the Chair of Traffic Engineering - Planning and Management. The study therefore recommends that the measure be monitored further and also tested in other locations, as the results may not be transferable everywhere.

Click here for the detailed final report of the research project.

Photo: © City of Düsseldorf, Office for Traffic Management