Article created by: Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Have you ever attempted cycling through a city that’s designed purely for cars? It can be a harrowing experience that convinces you to either lock up your bike for a few months or move somewhere with the proper infrastructure for cyclists. Unfortunately, not every city in the world is pedestrian, driver and cyclist-friendly, but there are some with brilliant gadgets that make everyone’s life easier when navigating traffic.
Below, we’ve gathered some of the most innovative tools cities have utilized on their roads that have been shared in the Urban Equipment subreddit. Be sure to upvote the pics you wish were taken in your hometown, and don’t be scared to start pestering your local lawmakers to implement some of this technology as soon as possible!
#1
The Speed Camera Lottery In Stockholm, Sweden
Drive at or under the speed limit and you’ll be entered into a lottery where the prize fund comes from the fines that speeders pay. Average speed reduced from 32 km/h to 25 km/h (a reduction of 22%).
#2
Singapore Traffic Light Allows Seniors/Disabled To Tap Cards To Add Time To Cross
#3
A Bike Pump Permanently Installed Next To The Bike Lock-Up Area
#5
A Stand For Bikers To Hold On To While Waiting For The Traffic Lights In Sweden
#6
These Green Rings Of Light Move At The Pace Of The Speed Limit To Help Gauge Speed
#7
In London The Road Tells You Which Way To Look For Traffic Coming
#9
New French Concept Of A Luminous Bollard For The Pedestrian Crossings Where There’s No Traffic Lights, It Turn On When Someone Is Detected
#11
Remote Control Used In France By Blind People To Activate The Sound System Of Pedestrian Traffic Lights
#12
Dunkirk, France, Bus Stop Sign With The Waiting Time
#13
Height Sensor At A Tunnel. If A Vehicle Is Too High, Luminous Warning Signs Will Turn On
#14
Bumpy Plates For Blind People, Everywhere In France, I Hope It’s The Same For The Other Countries Too
#16
Bollard That Displays The Remaining Allowed Parking Time For Cars (30 Minutes For Each Car). France
#18
Luminous Bollards That Change Of Color Depending Of The Pedestrian Signal Color. La Défense, France
#21
Traffic Light With A Mirror To Allow The Drivers To See The Pedestrians/Cyclists That Are In Their Blind Spots
#22
Luminous Bollards At A Pedestrian Crossing In France
#23
Montpellier, France. Test Of A Bicycle Path With Photoluminescent Paint
#28
Metal Equipment That Allow Cyclists To Stand Up Straight While Being Stationary Waiting For The Green Light. Spain
#29
“Incoming Bus” Luminosities Sign, When A City Bus Is Coming, The Sign Is Turned On To Warn The Drivers, France
#30
Special Light For Pedestrian Crossing, Belgium
#31
Controlled Access Area System In Amsterdam, Netherlands
#32
Yellow Covers To Increase The Visibility Of Bollards During An Event
#33
Pedestrian Crossing + Bicycle Crossing In France
#34
French Pedestrian Signal Used For Some Ski Lift
#35
Lighting Of The “Tunnel Du Mont Blanc” , France, In The 60s
#38
Road Separator Sign Used In France, It Can Bend In Case Of Accident
#40
Street Light Modified To Accommodate 4 Surveillance Cameras. Paris, France
