Hook turn
A hook turn (Australian English) or two-stage turn (British English), also known as a Copenhagen Left (in reference to cyclists specifically and in countries they are ridden on the right),[1] is a road cycling manoeuvre or a motor vehicle traffic-control mechanism in which vehicles that would normally turn from the innermost lane of an intersection instead turn from the outermost lane, across all other lanes of traffic.
Hook turns are commonly used by cyclists as a safer alternative to merging with motor vehicles, or having to cross multiple lanes of traffic to reach a turning lane.
The legal use of hook turns by motor vehicles is relatively rare, but has been implemented in some jurisdictions (notably Melbourne, Australia) to keep the centre of a road free from congestion for use by light rail transit such as trams or other dedicated road services.
History
[edit]Hook turns were originally the standard right turn in Australia.[citation needed] Various jurisdictions phased them out at different times. Sydney and Newcastle changed to centre turns in 1939.[2] South Australia discontinued the hook turn on 30 November 1950.[3] Victoria changed to centre turns in 1954[4] for all right turns except at some intersections in the Melbourne CBD, where hook turns were retained to maintain a clearway in the centre of the road for the city's trams. Requiring vehicles to turn from the far lane, rather than the middle of the road, avoided conflicts between vehicles and trams without the need for extra traffic lanes or altered signals.[5]
Method
[edit]To perform a two-stage turn, cyclists should enter the junction when given a green signal (simultaneous with motor traffic, though nearside turning traffic may be held at a red light). The farside-turning cyclist should pull into the nearside in front of the pedestrian crossing (in a marked waiting area, if available). When the side road is given a green signal, cyclists should proceed first by going straight ahead, completing their turn.[6]: 187
Usage by country
[edit]Hook turns have been implemented in a number of jurisdictions, including Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the United States.[7]
Australia
[edit]
The Australian Road Rules set out the procedure for performing a hook turn in Australia, as well as other jurisdictions with left-hand traffic. In jurisdictions with right-hand traffic the lane of the turning vehicle is reversed.[8]
- When the traffic light is green, the turning vehicle approaches and enters the intersection from as near as possible to the left. If there is insufficient room then it must wait for the next cycle of the lights.
- The vehicle moves forward, keeping clear of any marked foot crossing, until it is as near as possible to the left-most lane of the road the vehicle is entering.
- The vehicle remains at this position until the traffic lights on the road it is entering change to green.
- The vehicle then turns right into the road and continues straight ahead.
In many jurisdictions, lightweight vehicles, such as bicycles and mopeds, may make hook turns at any intersection regardless of signage. For instance, under the Australian Road Rules cyclists may legally perform a hook turn at any intersection unless otherwise signed.[8]
Canada
[edit]Toronto and Montreal have bicycle facilities that allow cyclists to perform perimeter-style turns, as such turns are known in Canada.
-
perimeter-style turn for bicycles in Toronto, Canada -
Bicycle perimeter-style turn in Montreal
Denmark
[edit]In Denmark, a hook turn is mandatory for cyclists. Denmark drives on the right and cyclists wishing to make a left turn must first proceed through the intersection to the opposite side of the perpendicular street, then make the turn from the new destination.[9] To avoid conflicts with cars turning right, a cyclist wishing to make a left turn is - if a car lane is expressly marked as "right turn only" allowed to place himself on the left side of that lane.[9]
New Zealand
[edit]In New Zealand, hook turns are occasionally marked on roads and used by cyclists. Notably in Wellington, such as at Lambton Quay, Bowen St, and Whitmore St intersection, near The Beehive.[10]
Taiwan
[edit]Motor scooters and motorcycles under 250cc are generally not permitted to turn left from the left lane in Taiwan, with hook turns required at most intersections. The first hook turn requirement for motorcycles began in Taipei in 1985. However, as motorcycle riders were found to frequently enter the zebra crossing when performing hook turn maneuvers, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced on 21 April 2023 that it would partially phase out hook turn regulations.[11] Tainan City ended hook turn requirements at several intersections as part of a six-month trial program in October 2023,[12] and will end hook turn regulations citywide by the end of 2025.[13] Changhua County started gradually ending hook turn regulations in November 2024.[14]
United Kingdom
[edit]Two-stage turn arrangements enable cyclists to turn right (across oncoming traffic) without needing to move to the centre of the carriageway. A two-stage turn is considered acceptable in LTN 1/20, England and Northern Ireland's cycle infrastructure design guide,[15]: 115–6 and in Scotland's Cycling by Design guidance.[6]: 187
A blue (informatory) sign can be placed to advise cyclists a two-stage turn is possible, and appropriate markings in front of the nearside approach lane. Furthermore, with authorisation by national governments, signs can be added to traffic lights to ban right turns for cyclists, unless completed in two stages.[15]: 115–6
Benefits
[edit]There have been limited proposals for hook turns to be implemented as a more widespread replacement for conventional intersection turns. Computer modelling has indicated that hook turns have the potential to significantly reduce delays and congestion in most situations, especially where overall traffic flow is high.[7]
On average, a tram will save 11 to 16 seconds when going through an intersection that uses hook turns.[16]
Limitations
[edit]Two-stage turns are often considered less preferable for cyclist safety than protected junctions, as there is more cyclist-pedestrian conflict.[6]: 187
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Hembrow, David (12 July 2010). "The "Copenhagen Left" and merging of cyclists with cars turning right: Dangerous and inconvenient junction design in Denmark". A view from the cycle path. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ "RIGHT-HAND TURN To Be Made from Centre of Road NEW TRAFFIC REGULATION". Sydney Morning Herald. 28 April 1939. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Follow-The-Leader in New Right Turn". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 30 November 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 17 November 2021 – via Trove.
- ^ "Road Turns Change". The Mercury. 23 August 1954. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- ^ Liu, Zhiyuan; Bie, Yiming (16 March 2015). "Comparison of hook-turn scheme with U-turn scheme based on actuated traffic control algorithm". Transportmetrica A: Transport Science. 11 (6): 484–501. doi:10.1080/23249935.2015.1018855. S2CID 154371279.
- ^ a b c "Cycling by Design". www.transport.gov.scot. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ a b Hounsell, Nicholas; Yap, Yok Hoe (14 August 2013). "Hook Turns as a Solution to the Right-Turning Traffic Problem". Transportation Science. 49 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1287/trsc.2013.0482.
- ^ a b "Australian Road Rules, s 35". www5.austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ a b Færdselsloven § 49 stk. 3 [Danish traffic code, section 49 clause 3, Retsinfo.
- ^ "How to use hook turns" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Everington, Keoni (24 April 2023). "Taiwan to partially end hook turn rule for scooters". Taiwan News. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Tainan rids hook turn regulations for 6-month trial period". TVBS. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ Wang, Zhengheng (25 February 2025). "台南取消機車兩段式左轉 下半年起擴大全市實施" [Tainan will cancel the two-stage left turn system for motorcycles, and expand implementation to the entire city from the second half of this year]. Public Television Service (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ Zhuang, Yating (29 November 2024). "1縣市宣布「全面取消兩段式左轉」！新規則曝光 網讚：全台跟進" [One county and city announced "complete cancellation of the two-stage left turn"! New rules exposed to netizens' praise: "Taiwan will follow suit"]. TVBS (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Cycle infrastructure design (LTN 1/20)". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ Currie, Graham; Reynolds, James (1 January 2011). "Managing Trams and Traffic at Intersections with Hook Turns: Safety and Operational Impacts". Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2219 (1): 10–19. doi:10.3141/2219-02. ISSN 0361-1981.
External links
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