National Bicycle Safety Month: 5 Updates that Make Flagstaff a Bike-Friendly City
- METROPLAN
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
May is National Bicycle Safety Month—a time to celebrate cycling, raise awareness about safety, and spotlight the communities working to make biking a safer and more accessible option for everyone.
In Flagstaff, biking isn’t just a hobby—it’s a key part of how people move. With more than 8% of daily trips made by bike, our mountain town boasts one of the highest bike mode shares in Arizona. Flagstaff is also recognized as a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists—a designation that honors cities making intentional efforts to improve biking infrastructure, education, and safety. From an expanding network of bike lanes and trails to forward-thinking Complete Streets projects, Flagstaff continues to lead by example in creating a truly bike-friendly city.
To honor Bicycle Safety Month, here are five recent and upcoming projects that are helping make Flagstaff biking safer, smarter, and more connected.
Know someone who bikes around town? Share this post to help them ride safer this spring.
1. Butler Avenue Complete Streets Conversion
A safer Butler Avenue is on the way, and it’s being designed with everyone in mind.
This federally funded transformation is bringing a Complete Streets approach to one of Flagstaff’s most important corridors, connecting Northern Arizona University, the Southside Neighborhood, and key business and residential areas.
So, what is a Complete Street? It’s a roadway intentionally designed to serve all users—regardless of age, ability, or mode of travel. That includes people walking, biking, rolling, taking transit, or driving. In contrast to traditional street design that prioritizes vehicle traffic, Complete Streets are built for equity, safety, and accessibility.
On Butler Avenue, this means the addition of:
Grade-separated bike lanes to provide a clear and protected space for cyclists
Protected intersections that reduce conflict points and improve visibility
A mid-block pedestrian crossing for safer and more convenient foot traffic
These design features are especially critical for vulnerable road users—such as children, seniors, people with disabilities, and those without access to a car. By creating physical separation and calming traffic, the project helps reduce the risk of serious crashes and supports more comfortable, stress-free travel across all modes.
Butler’s transformation is a key example of how the city is working toward streets that are not just functional but inclusive, sustainable, and safe for everyone.
2. Two-Stage Left-Turn Boxes (Green Boxes)
Ever felt uneasy making a left turn on a bike across multiple lanes of traffic? You’re not alone!
Two-stage left-turn boxes, marked in bright green paint at intersections, offer a safer alternative for cyclists. Instead of merging across busy lanes, riders can move into a designated space, wait for the next signal, and complete their turn in two simple steps.
These boxes are already in use at select Flagstaff intersections to increase visibility while minimizing risky interactions with fast-moving vehicles.
It’s a small change with a big safety payoff and one more step toward making Flagstaff’s intersections more bike-friendly.
3. Implementation of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs)
Crash data has shown that a significant number of bike safety incidents happen in marked crosswalks or intersections, especially where visibility is low or traffic speed is high. That’s why PHBs are a key part of Greater Flagstaff’s safety toolbox.
Flagstaff is getting smarter about its crosswalks—but not all pedestrian signals are the same.
You may have noticed two types of crosswalk signals around town: HAWKs (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalks) and RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons). Both are designed to increase safety, but they function differently—and understanding how they work can help keep everyone safer.
HAWK Beacons
HAWKs are pedestrian-activated signals that stop traffic using a sequence of lights:
Flashing yellow alerts drivers that someone has activated the signal.
Solid yellow warns drivers to prepare to stop.
Solid red requires drivers to stop completely.
Flashing red acts like a stop sign—drivers must stop and only proceed once the crosswalk is clear.
Many drivers forget that a flashing red light doesn’t mean “go if the car in front of you does.” It’s a legal stop that requires full awareness of the crosswalk before proceeding. Reinforcing this behavior is critical for cyclist and pedestrian safety, especially near schools and high-traffic areas.
RRFBs
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) are another tool in the safety toolbox. These also require pedestrians or cyclists to press a button, but the light doesn’t turn red. Instead, bright yellow lights flash rapidly to alert drivers.
Here’s the key difference:
RRFBs signal drivers to slow down and yield, not come to a complete stop (unless a person is actively crossing).
At some locations, users must press the button again halfway through the crossing to activate the other direction of traffic. This dual activation can cause confusion if drivers or pedestrians assume all traffic has stopped.
Understanding the distinctions between HAWKs and RRFBs—and knowing how to respond to each—helps us all share the road more safely.
Want to learn more? Visit the City of Flagstaff's Pedestrian Traffic Control Devices page for videos and FAQs on both systems.
4. Fourth & Lockett Roundabout Project
Roundabouts aren’t just about traffic flow. They’re also about safety.
The Fourth & Lockett Roundabout, currently under construction, is designed to reduce dangerous angle crashes while encouraging slower, more cautious driving. It also introduces important upgrades for cyclists and pedestrians, including a new fourth-leg crosswalk, flashing pedestrian beacons, and more intuitive, safer navigation for people on bikes.
This roundabout is a key connection point near schools and residential neighborhoods, making its design critical for daily users. Construction is expected to be completed by Fall 2025.
Get updates on detours and construction timelines at connect.flagstaffaz.gov.
5. Lone Tree Corridor: Protected Intersections Coming
One of the region’s most transformative safety projects is now underway.
The Lone Tree Corridor Project, which broke ground in early 2025, will bring a mix of protected bike lanes, fully protected intersections, and enhanced pedestrian crosswalks to a major north-south artery. These updates are designed to reduce conflict points between vehicles and cyclists—especially at intersections, where most serious crashes occur.
Once complete, the corridor will serve as a flagship example of bike-friendly, people-first design, enabling more residents to safely ride to work, school, or run daily errands.
Pedal Towards Progress: Join the Movement for a Safer, Greater Flagstaff
These projects are more than concrete and paint—they’re part of a larger movement toward a bike-friendly city where people of all ages and abilities can ride safely and confidently.
As we celebrate National Bicycle Safety Month, remember that bike safety is a shared responsibility. Whether you’re a daily commuter, weekend rider, or driver sharing the road, your awareness and engagement make a difference.
MetroPlan remains committed to improving Flagstaff bike safety through education and advocacy. Together with the City of Flagstaff and our community, we’re building a safer, more connected future for everyone.
Want to stay informed about road improvements, community meetings, and new safety tools?
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