Comments on: Clever Cycling Stuff: Hook Turn Boxes

By: LennyBoy

LennyBoy — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 02:55:33 +0000

In reply to uk_exile. I sometimes find that you can't turn right on a busy road until the very end of the phase when the lights change (and if there's a queue of turning traffic I might have to wait through a few light cycles before it's my turn to go right). So you might not have to wait much longer by using a hook turn; could be literally seconds later when the lights change, or sometimes it's even quicker.

By: robert

robert — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 18:12:23 +0000

uk_exile. You will always have the choice to slow down part way along the block as you say. Not everyone however may feel comfortable doing that, so the ability to get to the box which is marked for cyclists and then wait, is appealing to the less confident. Sure it takes longer , but there are those who value a sense of personal safety over faster journey times. The picture shows that the box is placed in a position that will allow cyclists to travel straight through the intersection without impediment from those waiting in the stop box. What is more of a challenge however is when 2 or more people on bikes wish to use stop box at the same time. It’s called ” share the stop box “

By: uk_exile

uk_exile — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 05:09:32 +0000

In reply to LennyBoy. Bugger. So being 100% legal it's actually faster to slow down part way along the block and time it so that can then turn right behind the cars rather than use the hook turn box. Seems counter intuitive, particularly as by slowing down could be holding up other cyclists who are wanting to go straight ahead.

By: LennyBoy

LennyBoy — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 01:36:52 +0000

In reply to uk_exile.

Yes, if it is a signal-controlled intersection then you do have to wait until the side road lights go green – Road User Rule details here: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/40.0/DLM2510800.html.

Note that you can also do a hook turn at an unsignalised intersection, and then it’s just a case of waiting for a gap in traffic.

By: uk_exile

uk_exile — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 00:35:04 +0000

Legally if you stop to do a hook turn do you have to wait for the lights to change before continuing? Or can you go immediately?
I’m asking because often there’s say 3 or 4 cars following which prevent cyclist moving into road centre to turn right but during the time it takes for the cyclist to stop for hook turn cars have all passed and way is clear.

By: Axel Wilke

Axel Wilke — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:10:31 +0000

In reply to Lennyboy. Hello Steve, if Lennyboy's observation always holds true and your colleagues running the traffic signals can ensure that the D phase never runs after the Barrington Street phase, then there is indeed no need to change the layout. (sorry, folks, if us traffic engineers are losing some people during that discussion due to the use of technical terms and obscure concepts)

By: Jackson

Jackson — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:30:30 +0000

In Melbourne many busy roads have no space for right turning vehicles to wait. On these roads, there are hook turn boxes for cars. There is enough space for two cars to wait in front of the other traffic. Seems to work a trick once you know the system.
For bikes, hook turns are fantastic at busy intersections. Like Simon says, it barely adds any time because at busy intersections you most often end up making your right turn during the orange phase of the light. Having to wait for the green in the perpendicular direction will add only 3 or 4 seconds to your journey.

By: Rhys Evans

Rhys Evans — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:30:09 +0000

I do a hook turn, heading south on Main South rd Hornby intersection with Carmen Rd (heading North). I have found it a very safe maneuver, and even the drivers seem happy with it, after initial surprise.

By: Lennyboy

Lennyboy — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 02:07:42 +0000

In reply to Steve Dejong, Traffic Engineer CTOC, CCC. Thanks Steve. However I'm a little confused, as my observations of the phasing there are that the left-turners from Lincoln Sth get a green arrow (with the Whiteleigh traffic) BEFORE the traffic from Barrington (heading for the hook turn) gets to go. So in practice there shouldn't be any conflict.

By: Steve Dejong, Traffic Engineer CTOC, CCC

Steve Dejong, Traffic Engineer CTOC, CCC — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:19:01 +0000

Hi Folk, great to see you doing some education on hook turns. Unfortunatly the First example “Green Hook Turn Box” located at the Barrington Street/ Lincoln Road intersection in Christchurch has been installed in the wrong position. The Signals D phase of this intersection has an exclusive left turn arrow prior to the straight through green. So as presently marked the cyclist waiting in the hook turn box will be blocking the left turners on on a green arrow. The contractor has been given instructions to correct this ASAP. Untill then Cyclists completing a hook turn should wait in front of the lincoln Road cycle lane.