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The epidemic situation has transformed traffic in Hungarian cities, especially Budapest: car traffic has decreased dramatically, the number of cyclists has increased, and the number of passengers on public transport has decreased. Due to the reduction in passenger numbers, BKK has already restructured (for the most part significantly reduced) schedules and interventions for cyclists and pedestrians are underway. Temporary bicycle lanes have already been established in Üllői út and Nagykörút, and several central districts have announced partial traffic reductions for the long weekend of May 1.
Although the government has begun to lift restrictions imposed on the field due to the epidemic, they remain in place in and around the capital. Also, with or without restrictions, the fight against the epidemic will not end for long, at least in BKK, traffic is not expected to return to normal levels before September. This obviously includes the fact that traffic in the summer is already much less than outside of school holidays.
Cycling and walking are also preferable for health in an epidemic situation, exercise is healthier than sitting in a car (and not everyone has a car), and people are more exposed to infections on public transport.
The bicycle: vehicle
There is plenty of room before the increase in bicycle traffic, according to data shared by the Cycling Club, half of the capital’s residents have their own functional bicycles and another 17 percent have access to bicycles. Nationally, these proportions are 67 and 17 percent.
While travelers, of course, have experience of coexistence and rule enforcement, it’s not worth repeating the basics, especially since there are obviously plenty of snapshots of the capital city that have so far done so infrequently or for unrelated purposes. with transportation. For cyclists, the Cycling Club has made a great summary (you can browse and download it here), we would only mention the most important ones.
The bicycle (especially if it has not been used regularly) must be inspected by a workshop, but at least at home and at least the most important must be checked: the brakes are working, they are working, they are not loose, nothing is shaking. If you haven’t cycled for a long time, you can practice in a slightly quiet, traffic-free place, especially when starting, braking / stopping, or driving safely.
It is important that
Cycling on the sidewalk is prohibited from the age of 12.
More importantly, it is dangerous. On the one hand, pedestrians (a collision between a cyclist and a pedestrian can cause serious injury) and, on the other hand, motor vehicles: drivers do not expect to catch a vehicle that moves much faster on the sidewalk than pedestrians at intersections; so it is not even visible, that’s why many accidents happen. For the same reason, you should be very careful on the bike paths on the sidewalk; unfortunately, there are still many of them and their use is mandatory. The bike can be seen on the road, making it much safer, even if driving alongside larger, faster cars can be daunting at first.
From red light to taillight
In traffic, you must know the priority conditions: these are defined by lights, signals (stop and priority are mandatory) and, if there are none, the right-hand rule at an equal intersection. Priority rules must also be followed, second only because it is mandatory, mainly because other road users expect it to. A zebra pedestrian has priority (unless, of course, the cyclist is green at a zebra-lantern intersection). Particular attention should be paid to pedestrians entering the road,
for the bike’s engine (i.e. the rider) it doesn’t buzz, so you can’t hear it getting closer.
The priority rules are, in principle, followed by everyone, and in practice, “soft-bodied” drivers are particularly unhappy because they are constantly prepared with the certainty that they cannot be prioritized.
With the line of cars on the red light, cyclists can move forward from the right, but should not overtake a moving vehicle from the right, and it is not advisable to go right at all, especially if it is possible to turn right or park.
Cyclists have a duty to stay to the right, which means that they practically have to cycle on the right side of the road. But not up close
where there are parked cars, it is worth keeping a distance from them,
because it is easy to come across a door that opens unexpectedly. Unexpectedly, you should not turn left, this also applies to a situation where something (a cargo vehicle at best, a vehicle “on hold” at worst) obstructs your progress in the bike path. The intention to change direction should also be indicated on the bike (by hand): in practice, in domestic road conditions, it is not always life-safe to release the wheel with one hand, but you should look back to see if anything else faster and bigger is coming. Of course, you can also mount a mirror on the bike.
Speaking of equipment, the front and rear lights are a must-have accessory, today they can be operated on battery, cordless, detachable or even bicycle. Removable lights are always worth taking everywhere, anyone can fall on them. Wearing a helmet is only mandatory outside urbanized areas at speeds above 40 km / h.
Cycling while intoxicated is prohibited, although there is no zero tolerance for driving, but as needed
the rider must also be in proper driving condition.
In your case, this is a matter for the acting police officer to decide.
Motorists need a little more attention.
As for drivers who drive, the current situation is not new, the composition of transport has changed at most. More cyclists and more pedestrians require more attention, and possibly more patience. It is worth paying close attention to the rules that are already in force.
For example, the fact that the zebra is a priority for pedestrians, and even the zebra should only be approached at such a speed that the vehicle can be braked if necessary.
Cyclists should only be avoided in traffic by maintaining an adequate lateral distance.
Although unfortunately the traffic sign does not specify exactly how much, but 1.5-2 meters is recommended. Before leaving the driver’s side, you should look back to see if a vehicle is coming – cyclists in the bicycle lane or on the right side of the outer lane are particularly at risk, but not only the cyclist can be injured, but also the door knocking. It is recommended to use the Dutch handle: the driver holds the left door handle and the right hand behind him, so they also automatically turn back.
Cyclists traveling directly in the bicycle lanes (of course also in the temporary Üllői út and Grand Boulevard lanes) take precedence over vehicles turning right through the bicycle lane.
There is no room for so many cars
The transformation / transformation of transport in the capital includes the fact that (at least the emphasis on public transport, cycling and walking, increased support) was basically part of Mayor Gergely Karácsony’s program and the plans of the new leader from BKK, Ivett Varga. Furthermore, BKK was conceived in this approach at the time under the leadership of Dávid Vitézy. Later, Mayor István Tarlós fired Vitézy, BKK was partially dismantled, and the focus on the car remained in the transport organization of the capital.
What today is not, to put it mildly, as popular in the world’s major cities as it was in the 1970s and 1980s. For years, and even decades, the goal has been to push vehicle traffic to the background. It is argued that primarily historic (inland) cities were not designed for such high-volume automobile traffic, and not even automobile traffic. Roads are literally overcrowded, cars are physically unable to provide enough road and parking capacity because
Houses cannot be pushed with a sash.
And many cars degrade the quality of life of city dwellers, pollute the air and leave no room for public spaces, green spaces, etc. Of course, no one says that no one should drive, and the piano must also be transported by bicycle. It looks a lot like the future is smart, even for mixing modes within a journey.
In short, what is happening in Budapest is not diabolical, nor hungaricum, but is in line with international trends, and it is not unexpected, because the city administration is prepared for such things regardless of the epidemic: the people of Budapest has elected the new mayor aware of this. If you wish, you have the power to vote to redistribute public spaces.
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