City launches campaign that aims to educate cyclists about red revert technology

The City of Ottawa is working in collaboration with Safer Roads Ottawa (SRO) and the Cycling Safety Awareness Program (CSAP) team to create an education campaign about cyclist safety.

The campaign will target road users, but mainly focusing on cyclists about why it's important to remain at the intersection stop line especially at a location highlighted by three yellow dots until a green signal is activated.

This is called red revert technology, a motion put forward by Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper. 

The City plans to implement three different signs that aims to make cyclists aware of when it is safe to cross the busy roads and intersections. 

The Yellow Dot Permanent Signage will be installed at high cyclist volume intersections and at multi-use pathways (MUP) intersections. This sign will remind cyclists to remain on the yellow dots at the detection loop until the green signal is activated. This signage is currently in production. 

The City is also working on the Yellow Dot Temporary Lawn Signage. This will be similar to the yellow dot signals and will be installed at key locations with high cyclist traffic and yellow dot infrastructure for the 2022 cycling season.

These will enforce yellow dot messaging and may be rotated throughout the city as needed. 

These signs will be installed where they can be accommodated (i.e. presence of a grass boulevard area) and may include locations that are not scheduled for the first round of permanent signage.

The third signage is the Yellow Dot Buckslips. This will  inform road users how sensors work and highlights the importance of remaining on the yellow dots until the signal turns green are being created. They will be distributed during in-person outreach events at key locations during the summer and fall. 

This campaign also includes information on sensors and signal timing, and on how to safely and legally enter an intersection on a bicycle.