Bicycle-Friendly Intersection Proposed to Attract Riders

Liz Stinson reports on urban planner Nick Falbo, who is promoting a new street intersection design that could make biking feel much safer and attract more cyclists. According to Stinson, the new intersection design is based on Dutch bike infrastructure and involves including all of the following four elements:

• Corner Refuge Island: Similar to the idea of a sidewalk extension or a curb bulbout, a bike lane extension that continues into the intersection and allows right turns that are separated from parked or moving cars.
• The Setback Crossing: Widening the crosswalk to accommodate room for designated bike crossing.
• Forward Stop Bar: A waiting area for cyclists located within the corner refuge island before entering the crosswalk. This would make cyclists more visible to cars and left turns safer, but also would require them to turn left by crossing the crosswalk twice, similar to what you would do if you were walking.
• Bicycle-Friendly Signal Phasing: Separate bicycle traffic signals at major intersections so that it is clear when it is time for bicycles to stop and go.

Per Stinson, Falbo is currently working with city engineers on how his ideas can be incorporated into existing policies and standards. Meanwhile, he is testing his concept with pop-up intersections.