Bike Boxes

Purpose

Provide bicyclists with a designated space ahead of stopped vehicles when approaching a red traffic signal. Bike boxes increase visibility of bicyclists and can help them position themselves to make left turns or facilitate a transition to a shared lane when the traffic signal changes to green.

DescriptionBike Box_Sketch.png

Bike boxes allow bicyclists to safely navigate in front of cars stopped at a signalized intersection. They are located between the vehicle stop bar and the crosswalk and are typically colored green to highlight potential conflicts. Bike box design includes an advanced stop line for vehicles and a bicycle symbol to communicate the purpose of this space to other road users.

Safety Benefits

  • Provides priority for and increased visibility of people on bicycles
  • Facilitates bicycle turning maneuvers and transitions
  • Allows bicycles to group together to clear the intersection quickly, minimizing impediment to traffic or transit vehicles
  • Reduces “right-hook” conflicts with turning vehicles at the start of a green phase
  • Increases pedestrian safety by reducing vehicle and bicycle crosswalk encroachment 

Street Types and Context

Applicable Street Types

  • Only at signalized intersections.

Other Location Guidance

  • On roadways where a left turn is required to follow a bike facility or route, access a shared use path, or when the bike lane moves to the left side of the street.
  • At signalized intersections with high volumes of left-turning bicyclists
  • Where bicyclists frequently block high volume pedestrian crosswalks

Primary User Groups

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Key Implementation Considerations

  • Bike boxes must be combined with “no right turn on red” restrictions to ensure no vehicle movements conflict with the location of the bike box.
  • Bike boxes can only be implemented at signalized intersections.
  • Leading or exclusive signal phases should be considered to allow bicyclists to get a “head start” and/or clear the intersection ahead of vehicular traffic.
  • May include green-colored pavement.
  • Cannot be applied to areas where the pavement is deteriorating.
  • Most effective when a bicycle lane is present on the street.
  • May extend across multiple travel lanes. 

Expected Crash Reduction

65% for bicycle-vehicle crashes.

Cost

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Typically, low to moderate cost. Green markings are more costly to maintain than typical white and yellow markings.

Timeline

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Less than one year to three or more years, depending on complexity. For example, some bike lanes tied to capital projects may take longer for installation.

Application in Arlington 

Visit Vision Zero Program Dashboard: Bike Box to see where this tool has been implemented.

Vision Zero Dashboard

References

 

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