VIDEO - Protected Intersections for Cyclists

VideoThis video is shared from the Protected Intersections for Bicyclists website. The author, Nick Falbo, explains that the concepts presented in the video are exploratory and experimental, but judging from the material provided on the site it might be more accurate if the words "in North America" were added.

This appears to follow the standard Dutch design in a North American setting.

Protected Intersections for Bicyclists Video

Current Design in Holland

Here is the Dutch logic for designing the intersection in this manner that explains why it is better for all road users, including drivers:

List of Concerns

Falbo lists the following concerns:

  • Intersection capacity implications of added bicycle signal phases.
  • Non-MUTCD compliant signalization schemes, such as the leading bicycle interval.
  • Truck turning requirements for freight movement.
  • Bicyclist deflection at corner islands and impacts to operating speed.
  • Interaction between bicyclists and pedestrians.
  • Pedestrian deflection at crossings.
  • Considerations for pedestrians with disabilities.

It will be interesting to see how these develop as his site matures.

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I like the aspect that drivers see cyclists at a stop line in advance of their position to reduce the possibility of a "right hook". What I  question is how this affects transport traffic. How do trucks, especially those with pup trailers negotiate that turn. If it restricts those turns to a passenger vehicle wheelbase then it has limited application.

There's a lot to chew on here. In Vancouver this in place at first avenue where it meets Ontario. Or is it Quebec?

It just takes so much real estate to accommodate an intersection/roundabout of this size, and 1st Avenue is a multi-lane road already.

I don't think it could be done at 1st & Ontario (which, incidentally, is where Vancouver City splits between east and west).

Pedestrians would also have to behave better, in terms of respecting other road users. And interestingly, pedestrians are already at higher risk than cyclists or motorcyclists.