Cyclists Move to the Front with Chapel Hill's First 'Bike Box'

Cyclists will now get to move to the front of the traffic line at one Chapel Hill intersection.

The traffic configuration is designed to give cyclists “a head start when merging into the travel lane where the bike lane ends,” according to a release from the town.

The bike box is painted bright green at the intersection of West Rosemary and Roberson streets. This is the first bike box in Chapel Hill.

Officials describe the bike box as “a holding location for people on bicycles when stopped at red lights.

A white bar is painted across the intersection, signaling to motorists that they must stop their vehicles behind the line. Between that vehicle marker and the intersection, a green box has been painted allowing the cyclists to transition from the bike lane into the bike box located in front of motorists during a red light.

The cyclist then has a chance to begin down the shared travel lane when given a green light, until the transition back to a separate bike lane further up the roadway.

Cyclists are reminded to “remain as far right as practicably possible, while avoiding the ‘door zone’ of parked vehicles.” Motorists should remain a safe distance behind cyclists, unless it is safe to pass – which is defined as four feet between the vehicle and bicycle.

This is the only location where a bike box is being implemented in Chapel Hill at this time.

Photo via Town of Chapel Hill