Right turns at red lights for cyclists in Denmark

New bicycle rights at select junctions in Copenhagen to take effect from 1 September.

From 1 September cyclists will be allowed to turn right at red lights at 33 selected intersections in Copenhagen and around Denmark, following a successful two-year trial period.

The experiment, which ran from 2013-2015, revealed that cyclists taking right turns at red lights did not jeopardise traffic safety or cause an increase in accidents.

The move has been welcomed by the Danish cyclists’ federation, which has long campaigned for the measure to be introduced, and the junctions will be clearly marked with “Turn Right” signs for cyclists.

Separately, a new study has shown that cyclists in Denmark are three to four times more likely than motorists to get seriously injured in traffic accidents.

The study, undertaken by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), was based on figures from 2007 to 2010.

Last year in Denmark 26 cyclists were killed and 512 seriously injured, according to Danish road agency Vejdirektoratet.