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i i ~ ~ <br /> 'June 4, 1998 <br /> ,CONTACT: Diane Bishop, Bicycle Coordinator, 682-5218 <br /> !,From Public Information Section, 682-5523 <br /> ~!IFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> I <br /> ~I <br /> NEW `BIKE BOX' GIVES CYCLISTS A SAFE ZONE AT HIGH AND SEVENTH <br /> III Anew "bike box" on High Street at Seventh Avenue gives cyclists a safer way to change lanes at <br /> a busy intersection in downtown Eugene. <br /> The "box" and accompanying signage, installed Wednesday by a Public Works street-striping <br /> ~~Crew on High Street just south of Seventh, allow cyclists to move from the bicycle lane on the west side <br /> f High Street into a protected zone at the head of the middle traffic lanes when the signal at High and <br /> Seventh is red. Then, when the signal changes to green, cyclists can proceed through the intersection <br /> ead of motor vehicles and safely switch to the through bike lane on the east side of High Street. <br /> ecause cyclists are ahead of other traffic, they have the right of way while they are in the safety "box" <br /> ~nd as they ride through the intersection. The safety "box," which has been used in Cambridge, Mass., <br /> nd in Europe, is not meant to be used when the signal is green. <br /> ~ Before the "box" was in place, northbound cyclists on High Street had to cross two lanes of <br /> hropgh traffic to switch from the west side of High Street to the east side or dismount and use the <br /> d;rosswalks as pedestrians. Because cyclists generally are able to accelerate quickly through the <br /> ntersection and because vehicles are not allowed to turn on red at that intersection, the new safety "box" <br /> ~s not expected to significantly delay or inconvenience motorists. <br /> Diane Bishop, the City's bicycle coordinator, said it was fitting that the new "bike box" feature <br /> vas installed during "Bicycle Commute Week." <br /> "One of the most important considerations for a bicycle commuter is a safe route," Bishop said. <br /> '"And that's exactly what the bike box is intended to provide." <br /> <br /> Publgc Works • Administration • City of Eugene • 858 Pearl • Eugene, OR 97401-2727 • Phone: (541) 682-5262 • FAX (541) 682-6826 <br /> <br />