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Ottawa to coach cyclists on purple revert know-how at intersections

The town of Ottawa is launching a marketing campaign to coach cyclists on the purple revert know-how, and why it is essential to stay stopped on the three yellow dots at an intersection till the sunshine turns inexperienced.

New “Yellow Dot” indicators will likely be put in at excessive bicycle owner quantity intersections and the place multi-use pathways intersect with signalized intersections to remind folks to stay on the yellow dots to activate the inexperienced mild. Employees can even arrange cubicles at neighborhood occasions and be stationed at intersections to coach cyclists.

The brand new schooling marketing campaign comes months after council deferred a movement from Coun. Jeff Leiper to remove purple reverts, additionally known as “revert purple”, which some say is harmful for cyclists. The transportation committee directed workers to develop and implement an consciousness marketing campaign to coach and inform cyclists and drivers on the purple revert characteristic and the way it works, together with sensors and timing.

A purple revert happens when a automobile journeys a sensor at an intersection, resulting in a visitors mild change.

Earlier than the sunshine adjustments, the sensor does a remaining verify to make sure there’s nonetheless a automotive or bike on the censor. If there’s, the sunshine turns inexperienced. If not, the sunshine stays purple and the crossing road returns to a inexperienced mild after 5 seconds.

In a memo to council, workers say the Biking Security Consciousness Program, in collaboration with Safer Roads Ottawa, will lead the outreach and schooling marketing campaign.

“The marketing campaign serves to tell all street customers, primarily specializing in cyclists, about why you will need to stay on the intersection cease line at a location highlighted by three yellow dots till the inexperienced sign is activated,” mentioned the memo from Visitors Companies Director Phil Landry and Transportation Planning Director Vivi Chi.

“Data on sensors and sign timing, and on the right way to safely and legally enter an intersection on a bicycle, are additionally a part of the marketing campaign.”

Employees will likely be at intersections by the summer time and early fall to coach cyclists on the yellow dots, and present the place folks ought to stay till the inexperienced sign is activated.

The town says the refresh of yellow dots on the pavement on the visitors alerts is ongoing.

The everlasting “Yellow Dot” signage will likely be put in from mid-July till the primary week of August. The areas embrace Colonel By Drive on the Campus Station, Albert Road south of Commissioner Road, Alta Vista Drive at Hospital Hyperlink Highway, Sales space Road on the Struggle Museum Entry, Carling Avenue on the NAC bike path and Carling Avenue west of Preston Road, and Clegg Road at Colonel By Drive.