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Dutch city tests bicycle traffic kiosks that monitor speed and guide cyclists

May 5, 2017

The city of Utrecht, the Netherlands, is testing electronic kiosks designed to help cyclists speed up their commutes by coaching them to catch a series of green lights without having to come to a stop, according to Fast Company.

When the posts detect someone riding by, it calculates their speed and whether they’ll make the next light. If they're too slow, it flashes a cartoon rabbit. If they're too fast, it flashes a tortoise. A "thumbs up" indicates that they're traveling at exactly the right speed. When there's too much traffic and they'll have to stop no matter what, the sign shows a cow, meant to symbolize a herd of cattle blocking traffic in the countryside.

The city is hoping that the technology can help reduce the number of cyclists that try to squeak through red lights. If tests are successful, the posts could be rolled out throughout the city.