Green Lights for Bike Traffic Signals

With bicycling growing in popularity while driving decreases, should a city install "bicycle-specific traffic signals"? Mary Ebeling of State Smart Transportation Initiatives provides guidance and helpful designs from city transportation officials.

2 minute read

January 6, 2013, 1:00 PM PST

By Irvin Dawid


Bike traffic signals accommodate cyclists better than conventional traffic signals.  Providing sufficient time to clear the intersection, ensuring activation of the traffic signal, and reducing conflict with motorized traffic are some of the benefits.

Mary Ebeling writes that "(w)hile widely used in Europe and Australia, the U.S has been slow to adopt bicycle-specific traffic signals.  Currently 16 cities (including Austin, Denver, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C) in the U.S. use bicycle-specific traffic signals."

So, what's holding them up?

A major hurdle lies with the fact that they are not incorportated into the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). However, states can authorize them on their own - and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) has provided detailed information and guidance for appropriate locations to install bicycle signal heads. 

"California relied on data from the bicycle-friendly city of Davs and approved their use in 1998. The State of California approved the use of bicycle traffic signals in 1998, based primarily on data from the City of Davis, California

"The State Smart Transportation Initiative, housed at the University of Wisconsin, promotes transportation practices that advance environmental sustainability and equitable economic development, while maintaining high standards of governmental efficiency and transparency."

Tracy Loew and Elida S. Perez, reporters for USA TODAY, write about an "October, 2012 study commissioned by the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Last year Oregon lawmakers approved Senate Bill 130, adding bicycle-only signals to the state's list of traffic control devices."

"Chicago officials announced the city's first bicycle-specific traffic signal in August. Atlanta got its first bike signal in October.

The bicycle signal cost $1,000 to install in Salem, OR, according to assistant city traffic manager Tony Martin."

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 in The State Smart Transportation Initiative

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight