Description
Application
Advantages
Disadvantages
Design Considerations
Implementation Challenges
Example Cities

Tuscon, AZ (Tom Thivener)	Portland, OR (Jay Lawrence, Polara Studios)	New York, NY

Description
A bicycle box is a traffic control device at a signalized intersection that requires motorists to stop a short distance before the crosswalk and encourages cyclists to stop in the area between the cars and the crosswalk. Bicycle boxes increase the visibility and safety of bicycle riders by positioning them in clear sight of oncoming and turning traffic, as well as granting bicycles priority for entering the intersection.

Application
Bike boxes are best applied at signalized intersections with:

• A high number of queuing cyclists.
• High auto and bike volumes.
• Frequent turning conflicts.
• A high percentage of turning movements by both cyclists and motorists.
• Can be used in conjunction with a “head start” bicycle-only signal phase.

Advantages

• Makes cyclists more visible to reduce “right hook” threat.
• Grants cyclists priority to proceed when signal has a short green phase.
• Alerts motorists to the presence of bicycles.
• Enables left‐turning cyclists to position themselves to the left prior to getting a green signal (works as well for cyclists turning right from left side bike lane).
• Reduces cyclists' direct exposure to car exhaust.

Disadvantages

• Eliminates motorist right turn on red.
• Unfamiliar to some drivers — signage and outreach campaign may be required.

Design/Maintenance Considerations

• No universal standards for dimensions — identify dimensions that work best for local conditions and cyclist comfort and safety.
• Box may be disregarded by motorists if facility is rarely used by cyclists.
• Consider surface color and prominent markings to reduce vehicle encroachment.
• Motor vehicle right turn on red must be prohibited.

Implementation Obstacles
Not part of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Example Cities

• Austin, TX
• Cambridge, MA
• Columbus, OH
• New York, NY
• Phoenix, AZ
• Portland, OR
• San Francisco, CA
• Tucson, AZ
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Muenster, Germany
• Vancouver, BC, Canada

Back to
Top || Cities for Cycling || NACTO