T & RS Consultancy

A new 'Cyclops' roundabout in Cambridge, designed to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians, has raised concerns among residents about confusion and safety [1]. While the design aims to improve cycling safety, recent Dutch research suggests that roundabouts, in general, might be becoming riskier for cyclists [2].

Learning from Mancester's Cyclops

Manchester's existing Cyclops junction offers some insights. Similar to Cambridge, residents initially expressed confusion [3]. However, the segregated lanes in Cyclops designs could still offer safety benefits for cyclists compared to traditional roundabouts.

The Netherlands and roundabout complexity

Dutch research [2] highlights a potential concern: increased complexity from increased mixed traffic volume, diverse cycle types, and convoluted roundabout designs might contribute to more collisions involving cyclists.

A long-term vision for Cambridge

While Manchester City Council seems positive about their Cyclops junction, long-term (longitudinal) user experience data is limited. Here's how Cambridge can navigate this:
Monitor safety data closely Track collision rates to see if the Cyclops design achieves its safety goals, considering the Dutch research on roundabout complexity.
Gather user feedback& Conduct surveys (both one-off and over time) to understand user experiences (cyclists, pedestrians, drivers) and identify areas for improvement in design or education.
Long-term perspective Initial confusion is likely, but user acceptance of the Cyclops design might increase as users adjust, similar to Manchester.

Combining insights for sustainable transport

By learning from Manchester, considering the Dutch research on roundabout complexity, and implementing the following, Cambridge can optimise its 'Cyclops' roundabout:
𝘍𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴.
𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯.
𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬.

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗧𝗡 𝟭/𝟮𝟬 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?

For more information about our range of training on LTN 1/20 and consultancy services, please visit our website:
https://www.trsconsult.co.uk/services/training?id=846186
https://www.trsconsult.co.uk/services/active-travel

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[1] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/18/cyclops-roundabout-traffic-lights-open-cambridge-local
[2] https://road.cc/content/news/dutch-research-cyclists-increasingly-risk-roundabouts-293043
[3] https://www.manchesterworld.uk/news/confusion-council-burnage-active-travel-junction-viability-consultation-3925389