Weather permitting, a new bike box will be added to the intersection of Anthony Boulevard and Wayne Street tomorrow, April 28, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It will complement new bike lanes that will be extended on Berry and Wayne streets east to Anthony Boulevard. The Anthony/Wayne intersection will remain open to traffic during the painting process but there will be temporary lane restrictions for a few hours.

A bike box is an area designated by green paint markings at the head of a traffic lane at an intersection with a traffic signal. During a red light, bicyclists gather in the green box and motorists stay behind the box.

 "From our surveys of local residents, we know that downtown is the number one destination for most cyclists," said Mayor Tom Henry. "The extended bike lanes and new bike box will improve safety for individuals biking to and from downtown and connecting to the Maumee Pathway heading east."

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According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), the designated box provides bicyclists with a safe and visible way to get ahead of traffic when the signal is red and safely proceed through the intersection. NACTO notes the benefits of bike boxes include:
• Grouping bicyclists together so that they clear an intersection quickly and minimize impediments to other traffic.
• Increasing the visibility of bicyclists.

The City's Traffic Operations Department will paint the bike lane extensions. Ennis Flint, the paint company, will install the bike box at no cost as a demonstration of its products.

The bike lanes are part of the City's Bike Fort Wayne Plan, which was adopted by City Council in 2010. The plan provides policy, program and project guidance to increase the use of bicycles as transportation in Fort Wayne. The 10-year plan covers a bikeway network that connects neighborhoods to destinations with a variety of infrastructure, legislative initiatives to expand bicycle transportation opportunities, and education and outreach to increase the number of people safely using bicycles. A copy of the plan can be found at www.fwcommunitydevelopment.org/bike.

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For motorists and bicyclists, a quick review of how to share the road safely:
• Bicyclists follow the rules of the road just like motorists; they ride on the right side of the road and obey all traffic signals.
• City law states that motorists should always give at least three feet when passing a bicyclist.
• City law states that bicyclists may ride on the street or on the sidewalk. If riding on the sidewalks or trails, bicyclists should yield to pedestrians.
• If a motorist is making a right turn on a roadway with a bike lane, the motorist may cross the bike lane after checking to insure a cyclist is not in the lane and close to the motor vehicle.