New Left Turn for Bicycles Introduced

For people on bikes, turning left at large and busy intersections can be difficult and uncomfortable. A new feature for Cambridge, officially known as a “Two-Stage Turn Queue Box” but generally referred to as a “Two-Stage Left Turn,” has been installed at the intersection of Binney Street and Third Street to make it easier to navigate.

The new Two-Stage Left Turn allows cyclists approaching the intersection on Binney Street to stay in the cycle lane on the right of traffic when approaching the intersection. Near the edge of Third Street, slightly to the right of the green lane indicating the through movement for cyclists, there is a designated, green-painted box where turning cyclists can wait. Cyclists should pull into this box and watch the light directing traffic on Third Street until the light turns green, then continue into the bike lane on Third Street.

While this turning method may take more time, it keeps cyclists from needing to merge over multiple lanes of traffic and ride through the middle of a busy intersection. In fact, many cyclists have already been using a similar turning process, and now they will have signs and queue boxes to make it easier, safer, and more efficient.

In addition to the Two-Stage Left Turn on Binney Street and Third Street, another is currently being installed along Western Avenue at Howard and Putnam Streets, and others will be added where needed at busy intersections in the future.