Exclusive Bike Phasing

Purpose

To facilitate and improve the safety of bicyclist crossing of roadways, restrict conflicting vehicle movements, and provide guidance and right-of-way control.

Description

Bicycle signals can be vehicular traffic signals designated exclusively for bicycle use or using a bicycle face, and should be considered in scenarios such as:

Intersections with bicycle-specific movements: contraflow or protected(separated) bike lanes.
Where bicycle movements need to be separated in time from a conflicting vehicular movement, particularly those with high volumes of turns

Safety Benefits

Phase separation from motor vehicle movements
May reduce stress and delay for crossing bicyclists; encourages safe crossing maneuvers
Communicates expectations within the intersections
Decreases vehicular and pedestrian conflicts at major crossings

Street Types and Context

Major street crossings

Primary User Groups

Key Implementation Considerations

Bike signals can be:

Vehicular traffic signals designated exclusively for bicycle use OR
a bicycle signal face

Size of displays: 4, 8, or 12 inches in diameter (standard is 12” but MUTCD permits smaller diameter for the sole purpose of controlling a bicycle movement; 4” is supplemental only/nearside)
Visibility and placement of signal heads; mounting height
Detection techniques: pushbutton, actuation, inductive loop detection or video detection

Expected Crash Reduction

There are no crash reduction estimates specific to exclusive bike phasing. The expected crash reduction factor for exclusive pedestrian phasing is 35%. Similar levels of reduction may be applicable to exclusive bike phasing.

Cost

$ (highlighted); $$ (highlighted); $$$ (highlighted); $$$$

Per Pedbikesafe.org: Bicycle signals can cost as little as $1,000 per signal face and increase with the number of signal heads and bicycle detection required.

Timeline

References