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Main St. 'Bike box' will give cyclists a leg up on motorists

A bike box is an area at the head of a traffic lane at a signalized intersection that gives cyclists a way to get ahead of queuing traffic during a red-light signal

Cyclists stopped at the intersection of Main Street West, Memorial Drive and Murray Street will soon get a head start on motorists when the light turns green.

The City's first "bike box" will be painted in a rectangle in front of where vehicles are stopped at red lights.

A bike box is an area at the head of a traffic lane at a signalized intersection that gives cyclists a way to get ahead of queuing traffic.

It's all part of the construction of the West Link multi-use pathway and the City’s ongoing effort to make North Bay a more bicycle-friendly city according to a news release.

The West Link project was started last year and involved the construction of a three-meter wide, multi-use pathway along Main Street West between Gormanville Road and Timmins Street. The project resumed earlier this spring.

The work this year to improve the intersection at Main Street West, Memorial Drive and Murray Street and to complete the connection of the multi-use pathway and designated bike lanes on Main Street West is nearly complete. Paving was completed on Wednesday and the intersection is expected to reopen to traffic today.

The new bike box area will be added in the near future and will be identifiable to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians by a green road marking. It will be accessible via Memorial Drive.

According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials bike boxes will:

  • Increases visibility of bicyclists
  • Reduces signal delay for bicyclists.
  • Facilitates bicyclist left turn positioning at intersections during red signal indication. This only applies to bike boxes that extend across the entire intersection.
  • Facilitates the transition from a right-side bike lane to a left-side bike lane during red signal indication. This only applies to bike boxes that extend across the entire intersection.
  • Helps prevent ‘right-hook’ conflicts with turning vehicles at the start of the green indication.

On a red light, vehicles are required to stop behind the green bike box. Bicycles move into the green designated box area from the multi-use pathway. Those turning left move to the left side of the green box and those proceeding straight wait in the centre of the green box. Bicycles turning right, do so when it safe.

On a green light, bicycles go first. Right-turning drivers must check to see that the bike box and pathway are clear before turning right.

While new to North Bay, it is common in European countries for bikes and motorcycles to proceed to the head of the stopped line to get a safe jump when the light turns green.


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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