What is a Parallel Crossing?
Call or Text 07791 152 046
What is a parallel crossing? A simple guide
There are several different types of pedestrian crossing on UK roads, and while most learner drivers quickly become familiar with zebra, pelican and puffin crossings, the parallel crossing is one that can cause a little more confusion.
At first glance, a parallel crossing looks very much like a traditional zebra crossing, complete with black and white stripes, zig-zag markings and flashing yellow Belisha beacons. The important difference is that a parallel crossing is designed for both pedestrians and cyclists, with a separate cycle route running alongside the pedestrian section of the crossing
Why Is It Called a Parallel Crossing?
Why Is It Called a Parallel Crossing?
The name gives us a useful clue because the two parts of the crossing run alongside, or parallel to, each other. Pedestrians use the familiar black and white striped section, while cyclists have their own section immediately alongside it.
This makes the crossing particularly useful where a cycle track needs to continue across a road without requiring cyclists to dismount and walk their bicycles across. The arrangement also separates the pedestrian and cycle sections rather than asking both groups to share exactly the same crossing space.
For a learner driver, the easiest way to remember it is simply:
Parallel crossing = zebra crossing + cycle crossing alongside it.
How Do You Recognise a Parallel Crossing?
How Do You Recognise a Parallel Crossing?
As you approach, many of the features will look familiar because you will normally see the zig-zag road markings associated with a zebra crossing, together with the black and white pedestrian crossing and yellow Belisha beacons.
The feature you need to spot is the cycle crossing running alongside the zebra crossing, and bicycle symbols may be marked on the road to identify the cycle section.
This is particularly important when learning to drive because spotting the crossing early gives you time to check your mirrors, assess what is happening around the crossing and adjust your speed appropriately rather than reacting at the last moment.
Who Has Priority at a Parallel Crossing?
Who Has Priority at a Parallel Crossing?
This is where learner drivers need to be particularly careful because you are not simply looking for pedestrians.
According to Rule 195 of The Highway Code, when approaching a parallel crossing you should look for pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross and slow down or stop as necessary. You should give way to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross, and you MUST give way once a pedestrian or cyclist has moved onto the crossing.
That distinction between SHOULD and MUST is worth remembering, particularly when studying for the theory test. The Highway Code also reinforces this through Rule H2, which states that drivers must give way to pedestrians and cyclists who are on a parallel crossing.
Watch for Cyclists Approaching the Crossing
Watch for Cyclists Approaching the Crossing
One of the biggest differences between approaching a zebra crossing and approaching a parallel crossing is the speed at which somebody might arrive at it.
A pedestrian approaching a zebra crossing will normally give you reasonable time to see them, but a cyclist can cover the same distance much more quickly. The Department for Transport's guidance specifically recognises that cyclists generally travel faster than pedestrians, which is why the design of parallel crossings needs to give drivers an opportunity to see cyclists approaching.
As a driver, therefore, don't concentrate solely on the crossing itself. Look along the cycle route and towards both sides of the crossing so that you can identify somebody who may be about to use it.
Don't Wave People Across
Don't Wave People Across
It can seem polite to wave a pedestrian or cyclist across, but this is something The Highway Code specifically advises against.
You should not wave, flash your headlights or sound your horn to invite somebody onto the crossing because another vehicle may be approaching that you have not seen. Instead, slow down or stop as appropriate and allow the pedestrian or cyclist to make their own decision about when it is safe to cross.
Good driving here is quiet and predictable: make your intentions obvious through your speed and position rather than trying to direct somebody else's movements.
What About the Zig-Zag Lines?
What About the Zig-Zag Lines?
The zig-zag markings around the crossing are important and should never be treated simply as decoration.
You MUST NOT park on the crossing or within the area covered by the zig-zag lines, and there are also restrictions on overtaking near the crossing. In particular, you must not overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing or the vehicle nearest the crossing that has stopped to give way.
In slow-moving traffic, you should also keep the crossing completely clear rather than following the vehicle ahead onto it when there isn't enough room for your vehicle on the other side.
Parallel Crossing or Toucan Crossing?
Parallel Crossing or Toucan Crossing?
These two crossings are easily confused because both can be used by pedestrians and cyclists, but there is one very straightforward way to separate them.
A parallel crossing works rather like a zebra crossing and has the pedestrian and cycle routes alongside each other, whereas a toucan crossing is controlled by traffic lights and allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross when their appropriate green signal is displayed. Cyclists are permitted to ride across a toucan crossing.
So for theory-test purposes, think:
Parallel = zebra-style crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.
Toucan = traffic-light-controlled crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.
Drivers Need to Remember
Drivers Need to Remember
The safest approach is to treat a parallel crossing in much the same way as you would a zebra crossing, but to widen your observation because you are now looking for two different groups of vulnerable road users.
Identify the crossing early, check your mirrors, reduce your speed if necessary and look carefully for pedestrians and cyclists approaching from either side. Be prepared to stop, give way to those waiting to cross and remember that once a pedestrian or cyclist has moved onto the crossing, you must give way.
It is a relatively simple crossing once you know what you are looking for, and perhaps the easiest memory aid is still the best one: if a zebra crossing has a cycle crossing running parallel alongside it, you've found a parallel crossing.