Drivers in Tempe will notice something new on the roadways, meant to improve bicyclist safety.
The City of Tempe has installed a ‘bike box’ to help improve safety and visibility for bikers. It has the appearance of a big box, green in color, on the roadway.
It gives bicyclists priority at the stop light, and allows them to fill in the space between the cars and the intersection.
Tempe officials say they hope this will improve biker’s safety.
"They don't have the luxury of a car surrounding them so by having that separation and allowing them to go in front, it creates a safer environment for the bicyclists," says City of Tempe Traffic Engineer Julian Desang.
The first box is located at 10th Street and Mill Avenue.
The city says there could be more bike boxes installed along Tempe streets in the future.
