Cycling on red and interactions with trucks: Video observations at two signalised intersections in Oslo

Petr Pokorny, Tineke de Jong

This study examined cycling behaviour at two signalised intersections in Oslo: Langkaia–Operagata and Ensjøveien–Gladengveien. The study focused on cyclists' behaviour at traffic signals, potential differences between female and male cyclists, and encounters between cyclists and right-turning trucks. Cyclist behaviour was analysed using video recordings collected at the two intersections in June 2025. Cyclists' signal behaviour, direction of travel and trajectories through the intersections were manually coded. Truck–bicycle encounters were identified from 135 hours of video recordings.
- A total of 282 cyclists were observed at two signalised intersections in Oslo. Proceeding on red was common, particularly among cyclists turning right.
- At Langkaia–Operagata, 74% of cyclists who encountered a red signal proceeded on red, including 89% of right-turning cyclists. At Ensjøveien–Gladengveien, 67% proceeded on red, including 77% of right-turning and 57% of straight-travelling cyclists.
- No consistent differences between female and male cyclists were identified.
- Cyclists proceeding on red adapted their trajectories in several ways, including changing position and using sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
- A total of 66 truck–bicycle encounters were analysed. At Langkaia–Operagata, most involved cyclists proceeding on red, while five involved truck drivers turning right on red. At Ensjøveien–Gladengveien, four encounters involved truck drivers failing to yield to cyclists travelling straight.
- Signal control and intersection design should account for actual road-user behaviour rather than rely solely on perfect compliance and should reduce situations in which safety depends on interactions between cyclists and turning motor vehicles.