The use of bicycle signal heads at intersections can help reduce bicycle/automobile accidents. Typically placed at intersections with high volumes of bicycle traffic and with dedicated bike lanes or paths, the signal heads look similar to standard traffic signals, but display the outline of a bicycle in each color phase instead of the standard ball or arrow shape. Bicycle signal heads regulate the movement of bicyclists during a particular traffic signal phase. Key factors when considering the use of the signals is bicycle crash history and observations of conflicts between bicyclists and motorists.

 

Bicycle Signal Heads in Europe

Bicycle signal heads have been commonly used for a number of years in Europe, particularly Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. In Europe, bike signal heads are often used at intersections where right-turning motorists must cross the path of a bicycle lane or cycle track (a segregated or separated bike lane).  In these cases, the bicycle signal head provides either an exclusive phase for cyclists or lead time to allow cyclists to enter an intersection before automobile traffic, thereby establishing their presence to motorists before the latter can enter the intersection. 

 

Bicycle Signal Heads in the United States

California

In contrast to Europe, bicycle signal

heads have seen limited use thus far in the United States. The city of Davis, California is commonly cited as the first U.S. community to use bicycle signal heads, because it was the first to obtain state approval for their use.  Davis installed bicycle signal heads at “T” intersections where cyclists had access to a bicycle path at the top of the “T.”  Cyclists are given an exclusive phase that stops all motor vehicle traffic to allow cyclists to cross the through street with no conflicts.

 

It is valuable to note that the process allowing the use of bicycle signal heads in California was lengthy. The legislature had to amend the California Vehicle Code to permit the use of the specialized devices, and the state’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices was revised to incorporate standards for bicycle signal heads.  Since the state acted, other communities in California have followed Davis’ lead by installing bike signal heads.

 

New York City

While Davis often gets the credit for first using bicycle signal heads in the United States, New York City began utilizing the traffic devices in the mid-1980s.

In fact, a bicycle signal head has been in continuous operation since that time in Herald Square at the intersection of West 33rd Street and the Avenue of the Americas, where a bicycle lane is located on the left side