BikingToronto: Your Bike and the New Yonge and Dundas "Scramble" Intersection<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.blogger.com/static/v1/common/js/1499043574-csitaillib.js"></script> <script>if (typeof(window.attachCsiOnload) != 'undefined' && window.attachCsiOnload != null) { window.attachCsiOnload('ext

Your Bike and the New Yonge and Dundas "Scramble" Intersection

posted by Joe on Thursday, August 28, 2008

You've probably seen the news that Yonge and Dundas is now a "Scramble" / Pedestrian Priority / Barnes Dance intersection. This means that in addition to the north-south and east-west phases of the traffic lights, there is now a 3rd phase where the traffic lights are red for all vehicular traffic and pedestrians can do whatever they want:

Toronto launched the first pedestrian priority traffic lights — also known as scramble crossings or Barnes dance — at the busy intersection this morning.
For a 28-second period in every cycle, cars face a red light in all directions.
During that time, pedestrians are allowed to cross in any direction — side to side, or corner to corner.
Pedestrians are also allowed to cross in the conventional way, in the same direction as traffic, when vehicles are using the intersection. [Toronto Star]

If you're wondering how this effects you if you're cycling through the intersection, I'll remind you (which I shouldn't have to, of course) that cyclists are supposed to stop at red lights. Just like cars. There is a reminder in the most recent issue of Cyclometer:

When a Pedestrian Priority Phase is in effect, a red signal is shown for all vehicles (this includes bicycles) while the ?walk? display is shown in all directions for pedestrians, including diagonally across the intersection.

This activity is used at intersections with heavy pedestrian traffic. It is intended to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles by providing exclusive phases for pedestrians.

If cyclists wish to cross on the Pedestrian Priority Phase, they must walk their bikes through the intersection.

Any cyclist who rides their bike through the red light during the Pedestrian Priority Phase would be contravening the Highway Traffic Act Section 144(18).

The fine and associated cost for motorists or cyclists running a red light is $190.00. Go to: http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/safety/index.htm and look for the Highway Traffic Act link on the right side of the screen.