Sacramento to install new bike signal at midtown cross street. How it will change traffic?

A new bike signal will be installed this summer at the intersection of 21st and I street in midtown Sacramento, allowing bikes to cross in all directions.

Spokeswoman Gabby Miller with the city said the installment date is projected for late July because of delays in securing signal equipment. For now, a temporary sign at the corner of the intersection warns bikes only to cross while the white walking figure is lit.

The change coming to 21st and I Street is part of the city’s Central Mobility Project to improve biking, walking and transit across the grid.

The project will include roughly 70 blocks of bikeway improvements, Miller said.

The new bike signal will look similar to a traffic signal but with separate red, yellow and green images. It will include video detection to monitor the presence of bicyclists in the bikeway and track those who prefer to use car lanes through an intersection.

Miller said the signal would be a designated bike path for bikers on 21st Street to either enter the upcoming westbound bike lane on I Street, cross diagonally to continue along the right-side bike lane on 21st Street or turn right to travel eastbound on I Street.

New bikeway coming to 21st Street in midtown

Along with the new signal, the city will install a parking-protected bikeway.

Soon to be located on the left-hand side of 21 Street, from I Street to Broadway, the parking lane will act as a buffer zone between bikes and cars.

Protected parking lanes are created by moving a parking lane into the street and placing a bike lane next to the curb. Similar lanes are on Q and P Streets in midtown.

This story was originally published June 24, 2023 at 5:00 AM.