Bike boxes help cyclists safely and visibly position themselves ahead of quelling traffic at red lights. One form of bike box is used in a two-stage left-turn maneuver, also known as a "Copenhagen left." This movement, and the treatment for facilitating it, offers bicyclists a safe way to cross multi-lane signalized intersections from a right-side bike lane.
The York Region in Ontario, Canada has developed and installed permanent two-stage left-turn bike boxes, which replaced temporary painted bike boxes, along major roadways. According to the planners and designers of the left-turn bike boxes, their advantages include:
- Improved bicyclist ability to safely and comfortably make left turns
- A formal queuing space for bicyclists making a two-stage left turn
- Reduced turning conflicts between bicyclists and motor vehicles
- Prevention of conflicts arising from bicyclists queuing in a bike lane or crosswalk
The left-turn bike boxes being used in York Region are described in more detail on-line, where you will also find the following video: