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Kiosk alerts bicyclists to adjust speed when approaching an intersection

August 29, 2017

An electronic kiosk being tested in Utrecht, the Netherlands alerts bicyclists to adjust their speed when approaching an intersection, according to dogonews.com.

The kiosk, developed by Jan-Paul De Beer, head of design firm Springlab, captures the rider's speed using radar, letting them know to slow down, keep the pace or speed up. The kiosks, called Flo, are located about 393 feet before the traffic signal and communicate with the traffic signal.

The prototype kiosk featured LED lights, but this proved dangerous as riders focused more on the lights than the road.

Under the new version, the kiosk displays the image of a tortoise, a thumb's up or a hare. When a red light is about to appear, the kiosk flashes the image of a cow, advising them to stop. DeBeer said a cow was chosen because when bicyclists go on holiday to France, they often have to wait for cows blocking the road.

The kiosk is being tested at one of Utrecht's busy intersections where bicycle accidents occur every year. It has also been tested in Eindhoven.