clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

First Bidirectional Bike Intersection in America Installed in Atlanta

New, 27 comments

Downtown gets unique solution to intersecting cycle tracks at John Portman Boulevard and Peachtree Center Avenue

Atlanta may not be known as the most forward-thinking city for bikers in the United States, much less the world over.

But a new intersection of two bike paths in downtown Atlanta is the first of its kind in the country, which certainly sounds innovative.

According to the organization People for Bikes, a new intersection of bike lanes at John Portman Boulevard and Peachtree Center Avenue in downtown will be the first-ever protected bidirectional bike intersection in the country.

Bidirectional bike lanes at the left side of each of these one-way streets make it easier for Atlantans on two wheels to navigate around the city. However, while the protected bike lanes are great, where the cycle tracks intersect posed a bit of a challenge, when it comes to maintaining the separation of bikes and cars.

The solution is to create a refuge island at the northwestern corner of the intersection, where the lanes meet, to provide a safe space for turning bicyclists to wait out the light.

It's another push of the pedal in Atlanta's quest to become a biking powerhouse. Last year, the city appointed its first Chief Bicycle Officer. Since, the city has continued to expand protected bike path infrastructure, and launched a bike-share program.

So things are looking up for bi-wheeled, human-powered transportation in Atlanta.