176 road junctions across Greater Manchester are being fitted with the first ‘Trixi’ safety mirrors as part of an ongoing programme to improve road safety for cyclists.
Junctions with a left hand turn will have large convex ‘Trixi’ mirrors fitted to traffic signals to give drivers of large vehicles better visibility of cyclists, who can be caught in a blind spot. The mirrors also aim to improve awareness of cyclists on the road and promote the need to share space respectfully.
“By increasing the visibility of cyclists while also giving them priority at junctions the chance of an incident occurring between a cyclist and motorist is significantly reduced.
Advance stop lines for cyclists are also being marked at some junctions, allowing cyclists to position themselves ahead of and in full view of other traffic, away from exhaust fumes.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is leading on the £650,000 safety scheme, which also includes more advance stop lines for cyclists at junctions.
Councillor Chris Paul, the TFGM Committee’s Cycling Champion, inspects some of the new Trixi mirrors in Manchester city centre
Councillor Chris Paul, TFGM Committee’s Cycling Champion, said: “Any road accident is one too many and any measures we can take to improve cycling safety should be welcome.
“Trixi mirrors and advance stop lines are just a few among many safety initiatives being introduced across Greater Manchester, but they will only help if everyone shares our roads in a respectful, caring way.
“Where we can, Greater Manchester is also investing in traffic free cycle routes, reduced speed zones and developing other measures at junctions to help cyclists.
“We hope that the combination of all these initiatives will not only improve road safety, but encourage more people to consider commuting by bike.”
Sustrans' Regional Director for the North West, Eleanor Roaf, said: “Fear of traffic danger is the number one reason preventing people from travelling by bike so it's fantastic to see such a comprehensive improvement to safety on Manchester's roads.
“By increasing the visibility of cyclists while also giving them priority at junctions the chance of an incident occurring between a cyclist and motorist is significantly reduced.
“The safer we make our roads, the more people are encouraged to travel by bike and that makes for healthier, cleaner and more prosperous Greater Manchester.”
Between 2011 and 2015 Greater Manchester will have received £37m government funding for cycling improvements ranging from cycle hubs, to new cycle routes and road safety improvements.
