A leading bike interval gives people on bikes a head start in front of turning vehicles, providing a priority position in the right of way. The leading pedestrian interval (LPI), which can accompany the LBI, is a proven measure to reduce serious crashes and injuries for pedestrians.34 Bike signal heads or “Bikes Use Pedestrian Signal” plaques may be used to provide LBIs in some jurisdictions. This use of a bike-symbol signal is considered experimental under MUTCD Interim Approval IA-16.22.

On two-way streets with signalized left turns, bike and through/right motor vehicles should generally be given the first phase, with right turns yielding to bikes and pedestrians. Left turns are then accommodated in a dedicated phase after oncoming bikes receive a red signal, to reduce bike-left turn conflicts and pedestrian-left turn conflicts.