Phase 1 Bike Plan_r

SPECIALIZED TREATMENTS: BICYCLE ROUTE STREET CROSSING
Descrip on:
Bicycle boulevards and other bike facili es may be required to cross major streets at unsignalized
loca ons. To facilitate safe crossing maneuvers, there are several treatments that may be used
including high visibility crosswalk markings, median refuge islands, curb extensions (on streets with onstreet
parking), rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), pedestrian hybrid beacons, or traffic
signals.
Raised Median with Refuge:
Ÿ Separates conflicts in me and loca on through use of median islands
Ÿ Creates a refuge for crossing bicyclists or pedestrians, providing them a safe res ng point and
opportunity for them to cross the roadway in two stages, which becomes increasingly important
with higher traffic volumes and speeds
Ÿ Crossings may be raised to provide drivers with more visual cues of the crossing loca on and to help
slow traffic or may be flush with the roadway using painted islands
Ÿ Angling the crossing through the median or island forces the bicyclist or pedestrian to face oncoming
traffic and make be er eye contact with approaching drivers
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons:
Ÿ Bicyclist or pedestrian ac vated high intensity flashing beacons mounted beneath standard crossing
warning signs that increase awareness of and visibility of non-motorized crossings
Ÿ Proven treatment in raising the percentage of drivers who yield to bicyclists and pedestrians at midblock
crossings to more than 80% yield rates at many loca ons
Ÿ Preferable to mount signs on both sides of the street and within the median (if one is present)
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon:
Ÿ Used to improve crossings for non-motorized users where side street vehicular or non-motorized
traffic volumes do not meet the minimum warrant thresholds for installa on of a traffic signal
Ÿ Also known as a HAWK (High-intensity Ac vated crossWalK), the beacon consists of two red lenses
over a single yellow lens on the major street and includes pedestrian and/or bicycle indicators for the
crossing movement
Ÿ May result in less delay for motor vehicle traffic compared to a full traffic signal because stopped
vehicles are permi ed to move if the crossing is clear once the beacon begins to flash red in a wigwag
pa ern; this occurs during the normal pedestrian ‘flashing don’t walk’ phase, which
immediately follows the pedestrian ‘walk’ phase during a double solid red indica on for motorists
Ÿ Have been shown to have similar driver yielding rates as RRFBs and are generally used on higher
speed roadways with two or more travel lanes in each direc on
(Top le ) Angled median break forces bicyclist to face the
direc on of traffic he is about to cross. (Top right) High visibility
ladder markings and median island at bicycle boulevard
crossing. (Bo om Le ) Rectangular rapid flashing beacons
(RRFBs) at midblock crossing. (Middle right) Signalized crossing
for a sidepath connec ng two bike boulevard segments.
(Bo om right) Pedestrian hybrid beacon with colored pavement
bicycle crossing.
INFRASTRUCTURE ILLUSTRATIONS
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