Bike Signals
Follow the bike light. These signals give bikes their own timing through busy intersections.
What is it?
A bike signal is a traffic signal that gives separate signal indications for people biking, distinct from motor vehicle signals and pedestrian signals. Bike signals use bicycle symbols instead of the regular circular red-yellow-green lights to clearly indicate when people biking should stop or go.
Bike signals are typically installed where biking movements differ from motor vehicle movements, such as at protected bike lanes, trail crossings, or complex intersections.
How to Use It
- Watch the bike signal, not the car signal.
- Green bike symbol means go.
- Yellow bike symbol means the signal is about to turn red, prepare to stop.
- Red bike symbol means stop and wait behind the stop line or markings.
- Proceed only when the bike signal turns green.
If a push button or detection symbol is present, make sure you’re positioned where the signal can detect your bike.
Why It Matters
Bike signals improve safety by:
- Separating bike movements from turning vehicles
- Reducing conflicts at intersections
- Providing clear, predictable right-of-way for people biking
- Supporting protected bike lanes and trail connections
They’re especially helpful where people biking might otherwise have to guess whether to follow a vehicle signal or a pedestrian signal.
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Bike Detection Loop
This signal detects bikes automatically when you stop over the marked detection area.
Position your bike on the outline and wait for the signal to change.
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Push-Activated Bike Signal
Press the button to request a green bike signal.
Wait for the bike signal to turn green before crossing.
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No-Detection Bike Signal
This bike signal runs with the regular traffic lights and does not detect bikes.
Wait for the green bike signal, often matching the leading start for pedestrians (LPI) giving people biking a head start.
Where You’ll See It in Madison
- Protected bike lane intersections
- Trail crossings at busy streets
- Intersections with bike-only phases
- Locations with high bike volumes or complex turning movements
Tips for Drivers
- Bike signals apply only to people biking.
- A green light for cars does not always mean people biking have a green signal.
- When a bike signal is red, drivers may still see green but must still yield where required and watch for people crossing or turning.