Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Eyes on the Street: Leading Bicycle Intervals and Semi-Protected Intersections

A reader sends in this shot of a new signal at 3rd Street in Park Slope, at the intersection with Prospect Park West.

It's what DOT calls a "split leading pedestrian interval": Pedestrians and cyclists get a green ahead of turning drivers, then the red turn arrow becomes a flashing yellow. In addition to providing giving people on bikes some separation from turning traffic, it makes official what comes naturally to cyclists -- proceeding at the same time as pedestrians. That behavior is technically illegal at typical LPIs (Council Member Carlos Menchaca is sponsoring a bill to change that), but the bicycle signal sanctions it while adding some clarity for everyone involved.

DOT had installed nine of these signals at the beginning of the year and said it would be implementing more in a program to test out new intersection designs for bikeways.

The other type of bikeway intersection treatment DOT is trying out is this one on Amsterdam and 85th Street, one of four we're aware of.

Amsterdam Avenue at 85th Street is one of two Upper West Side intersections where DOT is testing a new intersection design. Photo: Lisa Sladkus
Amsterdam Avenue at 85th Street is one of two locations on the Upper West Side where DOT is testing a new intersection design. Photo: Lisa Sladkus
Amsterdam Avenue at 85th Street is one of two Upper West Side intersections where DOT is testing a new intersection design. Photo: Lisa Sladkus

Like its near-identical counterpart on Columbus Avenue at 70th Street, this intersection previously had a "mixing zone." The new design, which advocates and community boards have been requesting from DOT, directs drivers to turn more slowly and better positions them to see passing cyclists.

It also adds a painted pedestrian island, effectively shortening the crossing distance:

The pedestrian island on Amsterdam Avenue. Photo: Lisa Sladkus
The pedestrian island on Amsterdam Avenue. Photo: Lisa Sladkus
The pedestrian island on Amsterdam Avenue. Photo: Lisa Sladkus

As far as we know, there's no official name for this new intersection treatment. It's not quite a protected intersection, though it incorporates several elements of that design. What should we call it?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts