First U.S. City to Build Protected Intersection for Bikes: Salt Lake City

An intersection configuration mastered by the Dutch is about to get its first showcase in the capital of Utah as part of a larger bike lane project through the center of the city.

1 minute read

May 7, 2015, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Salt Lake City is on track to implement America’s first protected intersection for bicycling this summer," reports Angie Schmitt.

"The intersection design is based on a Dutch template that minimizes potential conflicts between people biking, driving, and walking. For example, it allows cyclists to make a left turn in two stages without crossing against oncoming car traffic." Schmitt's article also includes a few renderings and diagrams breaking down the configuration of the Dutch intersection treatment.

The intersection will be included in a bike lane project on 200 West between 900 South and North Temple. Construction will begin in August, according to a separate article by Celeste Tholen Rosenlof. Tholen Rosenlof also notes that 200 West falls short of its vehicle capacity by 90 percent, "making it an ideal location to integrate “low stress” bikeways, according to the city [pdf]." 

The design for the protected intersection will be familiar to Planetizen readers thanks to the work of Nick Falbo, a Portland-based planner who made the case for the design last year.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in Streetsblog USA

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