KC's new bike signal gives cyclists a head start | The Kansas City Star

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city officials assembled Friday morning to give instructions for another advancement in traffic control, the city’s first-ever bicycle signal downtown at Main Street and Petticoat Lane.

Attached to its own pole to the right of other traffic lights, the signal gives westbound cyclists and pedestrians a 25-second head start on other traffic.

If this pilot project is successful, Public Works director Sheri McIntyre said, more bike signals will be installed along Grand Boulevard and other locations yet to be named.

Main and Petticoat Lane (same as 11th Street) was chosen for the trial run for two reason. First, because bike signals are normally coupled with bike boxes, which are green-painted sections of the roadway at stoplights. The boxes are for bikes only and keep them in front of other traffic.

The only bike box in Kansas City so far is at that location, although others are to appear on Grand once the bridge over Interstate 670 is rebuilt and Grand is re-striped.

Second, it’s a corner where cyclists could use an advantage because of its layout and heavy traffic. . . .

It may take a while before the kinks are worked out, but Councilman Dan Fowler, an avid cyclist, said the new signal is another example of the progress he’s seen in the 12 years he’s been riding on the streets.

When he started, he remembers reading that Kansas City was one of the worst cities in the country for cycling.

“Since then, we have been on a steady course to change that,” he said.

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KC's new bike signal gives cyclists a head start | The Kansas City Star