Bicycle Signal
ELM-BCS-16 Bicycle Signal
Working assessment: this pattern’s status reflects a preliminary Commonway System judgment call, pending final review.
#Why this pattern exists
Where a bicycle facility crosses or interacts with an intersection in a way that a shared vehicle or pedestrian phase does not safely accommodate, a dedicated bicycle signal resolves the conflict explicitly rather than leaving cyclists to interpret a signal meant for another mode. This pattern exists to document where that dedicated treatment is warranted.
#Key considerations
- Most appropriate where a protected bike lane or cycle track meets an intersection with a conflicting turning movement that a shared phase cannot resolve safely
- Should be clearly distinguishable from the vehicle signal to avoid driver confusion about which indication applies to them
- Leading bicycle intervals (giving cyclists a head start before conflicting vehicle movements) are a common and effective use of this pattern
#Related patterns
Traffic Signal (ELM-TFS-14) (the vehicle control this pattern separates from); Protected Bike Lane/Cycle Track (ELM-PBL-37) (the facility type most commonly paired with this treatment)
Unsourced claim
Formal citations for this pattern have not yet been compiled from primary sources.