I’m really looking forward to my sadly short visit to Portland in couple of weeks and this is one of the reason’s why. As a regular bike commuter in Edmonton the bike boxes intrigue me. The difficulty with bike lanes is always at the intersections and this seems to solve the confusion problem between bikes and cars.
(Photo by BikePortland.org)
The bike box is an intersection safety design to prevent bicycle/car collisions, especially those between drivers turning right and bicyclists going straight. It is a green box on the road with a white bicycle symbol inside. It includes green bicycle lanes approaching and leading from the box.
First Look At Portland’s New Bike Friendly Green Space
Tags: Bike Boxes, Bike Lanes, Commuting, Traffic
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Before moving to Edmonton, I lived in the UK and these facilities were increasingly common. They reflect the fact that, at the lights, if you aren’t visible within the edges of a driver’s windshield, you might as well not exist. Now I ride as if there is a green box at every junction – I move to the front of the line, then stop away from the curb. Few drivers seem to object.
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That’s exactly what I do when I ride here. The only real difference is I will move farther to the left if the car behind wants to turn right. I note with Portland boxes that cars aren’t allowed to turn right at all.
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What a great idea. Another reason to love my hometown:) Though I do love my adopted city of Edmonton too but as a back in the saddle again rider I can appreciate anything like this to make me more confident as a bike in traffic cyclist
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