Video of the Day: Bike Box

The Times takes a look at Portland’s $150,000 project to retrofit some major intersections with cyclist-friendly “bike boxes.” The painted stripes and signs create a zone where cyclists can cross in front of stopped traffic to turn without getting run down by turning trucks, theoretically. Dubbed a “right hook”, it resulted in the deaths of two cyclists last October in Portland, and plenty in New York.

Speaking of New York, the Times article marvels at the Portland’s progressiveness, and believes the project, planned for spring, will “be the first such to be put to use by any city in the country.” As StreetFilms is quick to point out, there’s one other city that’s already beat Portland to the bike box punch: New York. And since many people, even cyclists, seem a little baffled by the boxes, they’ve produced a clever how-to video.

Streetsblog also has photos of the bike box lanes on Second Avenue, which seems to be the only one-way street with two bike lanes.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on January 10, 2008 1:45 PM

Comments [rss]

Toby von Meistersinger

How about putting bike racks on buses?

Given the things cost about $500,000 each, spending the extra $500 on a bike rack seems like peanuts for something that would increase use of both bikes and buses.

Spirit of 76

Drivers don't care about stop lines, crosswalks or even blocking the original "box." What makes anyone think they'll respect a tiny box for vehicles they believe have no right to the road?

jibbly

I know, so soon too!

turkishjade

Great, now this thread has been Godwin'd. ;)

Reality Czech

Basically, Streetsblog won't rest until Manhattan (and possibly Brooklyn) are rid of cars. The will do everything to make life uncomfortable for a vehicle, even if that is a necessary vehicle. Traffic calming = traffic congestion. They want to squeeze the traffic everywhere with the silly logic that less traffic means well less traffic becausxe if there is two lanes instead of three then well, that's less traffic.

Now don't get me wrong, I love bike lanes, but I think that these painted bike lanes are a waste of money and time especially since they are rarely enforced by the police or respected by drivers. I am all for protected bike lanes.

Oh, and don't try and post something on streetsblog that does not pat streetsblog on the back, it will be deleted, thus they are dictators not open to suggestion, comments or any ideas besides theirs.

Zig heil!

soopahgrover

Oh THAT'S what those things are. I took a picture of one of those on the Upper West Side this summer.

As a cyclist, I try to avoid sketchy turning situations wherever possible. I go out of my way or walk my bike. But if I'm in a hurry or need to take a left turn on a busy street, heck yeah I'm getting right in the middle of the lane so the car traffic can see me. I'm a vehicle too.

Rocknrope

Yeah, I'm shocked that Clarence is able to actually stand (and box) in the bike box, and it wasn't completely ignored by the trucks and cabbies.

I for one would be alittle nervous using them before drivers knew what the heck they were for.

slyseekr

Drivers here would treat the box just as they do the bike lane and ignore it completely.

ptera

Having lived in Portland there is a difference though it is subtle. Due to the high number of one way streets in NYC most bike lanes are on the left hand side which is not possible in Portland where most streets are two way. The boxes in NYC allow cyclist to move out of the left hand lane and make a somewhat protected right hand turn. The boxes in Portland remind driver to look to the right before turning. In both cases they provide the cyclist with a safer opportunity to turn right but in the case of NYC the emphasis is on the cyclist to move across at that point where in Portland the emphasis is on the driver to check before turning.

In both cases I like the boxes, though I wonder if New Yorkers will pay any attention to them. Somehow I think they'll be about as useful as bike lanes, also known as additional parking.

Aces

I guess this means the bicyclists have to stop for the light first?

NYC is not Portland, NYC is not Amsterdam. NYC may not be the best place to ride your bike. We do have a 24 hour public transportation system though.

Austin Baird

These boxes have been used in the UK for some time now and it's amazing how many drivers STILL drive up to the front line and occupy the bike box! :(