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Protected Intersections in Longmont: How They Work and Why They Matter

ByLongmont Colo

Table of Contents

What is a protected intersection?

A protected intersection borrows ideas from Dutch urban design and adapts them for urban streets. It is not a single piece of infrastructure but a combination of design features that together protect vulnerable road users. Instead of forcing people on bikes to merge into traffic for certain maneuvers, a protected intersection creates clear space and separate paths so movements are visible and conflicts are reduced.

Key elements include a setback of the bike lane, a corner island that physically separates turning cars from people waiting to cross or ride, clear pedestrian crosswalks, and signalization that recognizes bicycles. These features work together to reduce the speed of turning vehicles, shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and wheelchair users, and simplify left turns for cyclists.

Aerial view of a protected intersection in Longmont showing corner islands, green bike crossings, pedestrian crosswalks and vehicle lanes.

Core design features explained

Corner island

The corner island is one of the most visible and impactful changes. It is a raised or painted area placed at the corner of the intersection that creates a buffer between the travel lane and the bike lane or pedestrian waiting area. The island reduces the radius available for right turns, forcing drivers to slow down. Slower right turns give drivers more time to see people walking or biking and make it easier to yield when needed.

Close aerial shot of a corner island narrowing the turn radius with adjacent white crosswalks and green bike crossing markings.

Setback bike lane and bike waiting area

Instead of continuing the bike lane all the way to the corner, the lane is set back from the crosswalk. This creates a place where bicyclists can wait safely ahead of motor vehicles. The setback allows bicyclists to be more visible to drivers making right turns and to approach left turns without needing to merge across traffic lanes. Think of it as a staging area that separates bicycles from turning cars and gives bicyclists control over how and when they proceed through the intersection.

Cyclist riding in a setback bike lane into the bike waiting area at a protected intersection with arrow markings and corner island.

Shorter pedestrian crossings and improved curb ramps

The corner island also shortens the crosswalk distance. Less distance across the street means less exposure time for people walking or using wheelchairs. Many protected intersections also use distinct curb ramps and tactile surfaces so people using mobility devices can cross more easily and align themselves with the crosswalk. The crosswalk intended for pedestrians is marked with a white stripe, which is different from the green markings used for bike movements.

Aerial view of a protected intersection corner island with shortened crosswalks and green bike lane markings in Longmont.

Bicycle detection and signal timing

Protected intersections can incorporate bicycle detectors. In Longmont, a blue light on the bicycle detection sign indicates when a bicycle has been recognized by the signal system. This detection activates a green light for the bicycle movement, which removes the need for bicyclists to push a crosswalk button. Proper signal timing helps bicycles complete maneuvers safely and prevents confusion about who has the right of way.

Close-up of a bicycle detection sign with an illuminated blue light over a street

How each road user should navigate a protected intersection

One of the strengths of the protected intersection is that it keeps behavior simple and predictable. Below are practical, step by step guidelines for drivers, pedestrians, wheelchair users, and bicyclists.

Guidance for drivers

For motorists, a protected intersection should feel familiar in many ways. You still approach the intersection in your lane and yield where required. A few points to keep in mind:

  • Watch for bicyclists in the bike lane on your right. Expect to see them stop ahead of you in the bicycle waiting area.
  • Avoid the corner island curves when turning right. The corner island is there to force a tighter, slower turn; do not drive over it or aim for a wide turn around it.
  • Always yield to people in crosswalks, including those using wheelchairs. The crosswalk for pedestrians is the white stripe, not the green bike crossing.
  • Slow your turning speed so that you can stop if someone is in the crosswalk or in the bike waiting area.

These adjustments are small but effective. The island and lane geometry are designed to change driver behavior without changing basic driving expectations.

Guidance for pedestrians and wheelchair users

Pedestrians and those using mobility devices should use the white striped crosswalks to cross the street. The corner island shortens the crossing distance and provides a refuge that makes the crossing feel safer. A few notes:

  • Use the white stripe crosswalks. The green markings are for bicycles and can be confusing if used by pedestrians.
  • Pause on the corner island if you need extra time to cross. This reduces exposure and is what the design intends.
  • Make eye contact with drivers where possible before stepping into the roadway. The geometry encourages drivers to slow so they have time to see you.

Guidance for bicyclists

Protected intersections were designed in large part to make cycling safer and easier. They remove the intimidating merge that cyclists often face when attempting a left turn across a lane of motor vehicles. The intersection design creates a clear, low stress method for turning left on a bike. Here is a simple approach.

  1. Approach the intersection while staying in the bike lane.
  2. Remain in the bike lane until you reach the corner island. This keeps you out of the path of turning vehicles.
  3. A bicycle detector system recognizes your presence. A blue light on the bicycle detected sign confirms detection and will trigger the signal sequence for you.
  4. When the signal indicates it is safe, ride across to the next corner island in the bike crosswalk area. There is no need to press a pedestrian crosswalk button because detection will start the bicycle phase.
  5. Pause at the corner island and then turn your bike 90 degrees to face the new direction. Wait for the green light for your new direction.
  6. When the light is green and traffic is clear, proceed in the bike lane through the intersection.
Cyclist stopped in a bike waiting area at a protected intersection with green bike crosswalk markings and traffic signals (Longs Peak Avenue).

This approach removes the need to merge left across traffic and gives cycling left turns the same predictability that motorists experience.

Why these changes reduce conflicts and injuries

Protected intersections change three things that matter for safety: visibility, speed, and separation.

  • Visibility. Corner islands move people on bikes and pedestrians slightly forward and to the side so they are easier to see from the vehicle lane. Drivers turning right get a clearer view of who is waiting to cross or proceed.
  • Speed. Tightening the turning radius forces drivers to slow down. Lower turning speeds greatly reduce the risk and severity of collisions with pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Separation. The physical offset of the bike lane and the islands separates movements that used to intersect closely. Separation reduces the number of conflict points where two users might cross paths at the same time.

Combined, these effects cut down on both the likelihood and the severity of crashes. They also make each mode of travel feel more comfortable, encouraging walking and cycling which further improves street life and public health over time.

Common scenarios and how they change

Right turns by cars

At a traditional intersection a right turn can take a wide arc, sometimes cutting across a bike lane at speed. The protected intersection forces a tighter arc and brings the driver closer to the crosswalk and bike waiting area. The result is that drivers naturally reduce speed and are better positioned to yield to people biking or walking.

Cyclists turning left

Many bicyclists avoid left turns in traditional configurations because merging across a lane of traffic is intimidating. Protected intersections create a two-stage left turn. Instead of merging left into traffic, bicyclists cross the intersection in two phases. The first crossing takes them to a safe corner island, they reposition there, and then proceed through the intersection in the new direction when the signal allows.

Pedestrians and wheelchair users

Shorter crossing distances and clearer refuge spaces at the corner island reduce exposure time. For wheelchair users, the crosswalk alignment and curb ramp placement are designed to make it easier to begin and finish crossings directly within the marked crosswalk area.

Aerial view of a protected intersection showing corner islands, green bike crosswalk panels, white pedestrian crosswalk, and a bicyclist staged in the bike waiting area.

What to expect when using one in Longmont

Residents and visitors should expect a familiar but safer intersection experience. Drivers will notice bicyclists stopping ahead in the bike lane. Bicyclists will notice a place to wait and a detection system that can call the signal for them. Pedestrians will have shorter crossing distances and visible refuge areas.

If you are driving through one of these intersections in Longmont, watch for the corner islands and avoid turning wide around them. If you are bicycling, look for the blue light on the bicycle detection sign to confirm recognition, and do not worry about having to press a separate crosswalk button. If you use a wheelchair, look for the white-striped crosswalk and use the curb ramp that lines up with it.

Street-level rear view of a cyclist approaching a protected intersection with green bike crossing panels and white pedestrian crosswalks.

Design choices that support inclusion and accessibility

Protected intersections are not just about cyclists and motorists. They were designed with a broad view of street users in mind. Shorter crossings are especially helpful for people who move more slowly, whether that is due to age or disability. Corner islands can also be designed to include tactile features and clear ramp alignments so pedestrians who have visual impairments or mobility devices can navigate with more confidence.

Visibility improvements help everyone. When a driver can see a person using a wheelchair at the edge of the crosswalk sooner, the driver has more time to slow. When a bicyclist has a visible place to wait, they are less likely to make sudden moves into motor traffic.

Practical tips for mixing modes safely

  • Drivers: slow down when turning, watch the bike lane before turning right, and avoid encroaching on the corner island.
  • Cyclists: stay in the bike lane until the corner island, use the detection system as indicated, and execute the two-stage left when appropriate.
  • Pedestrians: use white-striped crosswalks, pause on corner islands when needed, and make yourself visible by positioning within the crosswalk.
  • Everyone: assume the other person wants to be safe. Slowing and making eye contact often solves potential conflicts.

Where they are in the city and what comes next

Protected intersections have been implemented at key locations in Longmont, such as Kaufman Street at 4th Avenue and at Longs Peak Avenue. The design is a practical solution for streets that need to serve multiple modes while improving safety. The city is watching how these intersections perform and will likely continue to adopt similar designs where they make sense.

Top-down aerial of a protected intersection in Longmont showing green bike markings, white pedestrian crosswalks, corner islands and vehicle lanes

Common misunderstandings

Some people think protected intersections are confusing because they look different from what they are used to. In reality, the changes are intuitive and intended to increase predictability. Below are a few quick clarifications.

  • The green stripe is for bikes. Pedestrians should use the white striped crosswalk and not the green bike area.
  • Cyclists do not need to press crosswalk buttons. The bicycle detection will call the signal and a blue light indicates detection on the sign provided.
  • Drivers should not drive onto the corner island. The island narrows the turning radius and is not part of the travel lane.

How protected intersections fit into broader street design

Protected intersections are part of a larger shift toward designing streets that balance safety and mobility for everyone. Rather than segregating users entirely, these intersections create predictable and protected points of interaction. They work well in neighborhoods where streets carry a mix of local traffic, people biking to school or work, and pedestrians going about daily errands.

Designing safe streets often involves small changes with large effects: narrowing turning radii, adding a few feet of bike lane setback, and re-timing signals can reduce crashes and make the public realm more inviting. Protected intersections are one tool among many, but they are effective precisely because they address common conflict points where people get hurt.

Aerial view of a protected intersection corner showing the corner island, shortened white pedestrian crosswalks, green bike crossing panels, tactile ramps and a clear sidewalk layout.

Checklist for first-time users

  • Approach the intersection with awareness of lanes and markings.
  • For drivers, look to your right for bicyclists and to the crosswalk for pedestrians.
  • For bicyclists, stay in the bike lane until the corner island; look for the blue detection light.
  • For pedestrians, use the white striped crosswalk and the corner island refuge if needed.
  • Do not drive over corner islands or attempt wide turning arcs that defeat the slow turn design.

Frequently asked questions

What is a protected intersection?

A protected intersection is a street design that combines corner islands, a setback bike lane, clear pedestrian crosswalks, and bicycle detection to improve safety by increasing separation, visibility, and lowering vehicle turning speeds.

How do I make a left turn on a bike at a protected intersection?

Remain in the bike lane until the corner island, wait for bicycle detection to trigger the signal if present, cross to the next corner island when safe, rotate your bike to face the new direction, and proceed through the intersection when the light is green.

Do bicyclists need to press a crosswalk button?

No. Bicycle detection systems register a bike and will trigger the appropriate signal phase. In Longmont a blue light indicates the system has detected you.

Which crosswalk should pedestrians use?

Pedestrians and people using wheelchairs should use the white-striped crosswalks. The green-striped areas are intended for bicycle movements.

Will protected intersections slow down traffic?

Protected intersections encourage slower turning speeds by tightening the turn radius with corner islands. This reduces the risk and severity of collisions while maintaining through capacity for the road.

Where are protected intersections located in Longmont?

Examples are installed on Kaufman Street at 4th Avenue and at Longs Peak Avenue. The city may add more locations based on performance and need.

Final thoughts

Protected intersections are straightforward yet powerful. They do not require complicated behavior changes from users. Instead they rearrange space so that everyone is more visible, crossings are shorter, and turning vehicles move more slowly. The result is a safer, more comfortable street for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and people using wheelchairs.

Expect these designs to become more common as cities look for practical ways to reduce crashes and encourage active transportation. When you approach one, remember the simple rules: drivers yield and avoid the corner island, bicyclists use the bike lane and take the two-stage left when needed, and pedestrians use the white-striped crosswalks. These small habits make the whole intersection work better for everyone.

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