Tiger Crossings: The Hidden Stripes Changing UK Roads
A little-known feature of the UK’s road infrastructure, tiger crossings combine elements of both pedestrian and cycle crossings, offering a safer and more efficient way for people to cross busy roads.
Named for their distinctive yellow stripes — a variation from the more familiar zebra crossings — tiger crossings are designed to allow both pedestrians and cyclists to cross together. Unlike zebra crossings, cyclists do not have to dismount to cross, making them a convenient solution for mixed-use urban areas where foot and cycle traffic is high.
Tiger crossings are marked by black and yellow stripes on the road surface and are usually accompanied by appropriate signage to alert drivers. Motorists are required to give way to both pedestrians and cyclists using the crossing, and there are often raised platforms or other traffic-calming features to encourage reduced speeds.
Despite their usefulness, tiger crossings remain relatively rare in the UK. You may never have seen one simply because they’ve only been trialled in select areas, typically in cities with active travel strategies such as London, Cambridge, or Bristol. Limited rollout, a lack of national awareness, and differing local authority approaches to cycling infrastructure have all contributed to their low visibility.
As the push for sustainable transport grows, however, tiger crossings may become a more familiar sight on Britain’s roads.
