Bicycle Signals

BikeSignalChurchStHarvardSquare

What is a Bicycle Signal?

Bicycle signals are traffic signals specific to bikes. They provide cyclists with their own signal phase, enabling them to more safely and conveniently cross intersections.  

Advantages of Bicycle Signals

Bicycle signals are useful in a number of situations, including where there are high conflicts between bicycle and motor vehicle movements; in intersections with unique geometry; where a bicycle movement is permitted but not a motor vehicle movement, at the confluence of an off-road path and a roadway intersection, or where separated bike facilities exist.  

Bicycle signals improve intersection safety by separating conflicting movements. By giving bicyclists their own dedicated phase, the chance of conflicts with motor-vehicles decreases, which improves both real and perceived safety at high conflict areas. Bicycle signals can be coordinated with other signals or be activated through loop detectors, push buttons, or other similar devices. 

For More Information

For more information about bicycling in Cambridge, please contact Cara Seiderman, cseiderman@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4629.