bike-level button in Tempe

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A new study in the journal "Accident Analysis and Prevention" discusses the reasons why bicyclists sometimes run red lights. One of the major reasons given is the failure of a signal to recognize a bicycle's presence at an intersection. This can occur at intersections where lights change only in response to the presence of vehicles detected by sensors buried under the street.

While this detection method works for cars, bicycles do not have enough metal to trigger the sensors. As a result, bicyclists waiting for the light to change when no cars are present face a dilemma: Either run the red or ride up on the sidewalk to press the same button used by pedestrians to change the light. Neither is a desirable outcome.

To address this problem, the City should do one of the following at appropriate intersections:

1) Install detectors specifically designed to sense the presence of bicycles at an intersection. See the link below for some technologies that can do this.

2) Install bike-level buttons at the curb. Bicyclists can use these buttons to change a light without dismounting or riding on the sidewalk. They're currently used at intersections throughout Tempe.