In September 2008, the University of North Carolina Highway Research Center, in coordination with the State of Florida Department of Transportation, released a study on the effects of green colored pavement in the weaving area between a through bike lane and a right-turn lane for motor vehicles. The green color was installed in the dashed striping area leading up to a pocket bike lane at the intersection of 1st Ave. N and 34th St in St. Petersburg, FL. First Avenue is a one-way street running east-west with five lanes, three through traffic lanes, a right turn-only lane, and a left turn only lane. The bike lane was positioned between the right turn lane and the through lane. Traffic counts on 1st Ave. showed close to 17,000 vehicles per day, with 17% of vehicles turning right.
The study employed videotape data to study the before and after conditions of the green weaving area. A press-release was put out before the installation and reinforced by a “Right Turn Yield to Bikes” variable message board. In the first phase of the study, many motorists completely avoided the green lane. Following these early results, the city painted black mini-strips around the border of the weaving area, augmented by a “Cross in Green” variable message board sign. Overall, the study showed a higher percentage of motorists yielding to cyclists in the weaving area and a reduction in cyclist-motorist conflict.
Evaluation of a Green Bike Lane Weaving Area in St. Petersburg, FL