"A wing and a prayer": why are there no traffic lights on the Elandsgracht?

The intersection of Elandsgracht and Marnixstraat in Amsterdam is considered one of the city's most dangerous spots for cyclists, having recorded thirty accidents over the past five years. Road users frequently face chaos during peak morning hours as they navigate complex traffic flows without the aid of traffic lights. Behavioral psychologist Karlijn Hoyer notes that the high volume of external stimuli, such as trams and cars, makes it difficult for commuters to maintain focus and safely traverse the area. To address these safety concerns, the municipality redesigned the junction in 2019 and implemented further visual improvements last summer, including new signage and road markings. Despite the ongoing risks, officials have explicitly decided against installing traffic lights. A municipal spokesperson explained that lights would likely cause significant congestion for buses and trams, and could lead to a false sense of security that results in cyclists ignoring red signals. Experts suggest that further evaluation is required to determine whether better design or enforcement, rather than traffic lights, is the key to reducing accidents.