Bike Ahead Boxes and Two-stage Left Boxes now Interim Approved - biking on sidewalks changing

[Ken Clark]

All,

Looks like the FHWA just interim-approved two-stage bike turn boxes:

Interim Approval for Optional Use of Two-Stage Bicycle Turn Boxes (IA-20) - Interim Approvals Issued by FHWA - FHWA MUTCD

Interim Approval for Optional Use of Two-Stage Bicycle Turn Boxes (IA-20) - Interim Approvals Issued by FHWA - FHWA M...

And last October interim-approved bike-ahead boxes:

Interim Approval for Optional Use of an Intersection Bicycle Box (IA-18) - Interim Approvals Issued by FHWA - FHWA MUTCD

Interim Approval for Optional Use of an Intersection Bicycle Box (IA-18) - Interim Approvals Issued by FHWA - FHWA MUTCD

These are commonly-used tools in other places to help semi-vehicular cyclists make lefts. 

Also, I noticed that Ann Arbor's ordinance regarding cyclists on sidewalks is gone.  At the same time, I think the state law on cyclists using sidewalks has changed, to specifically allow jurisdictions to ban sidewalk bicycle use with "an official traffic control device". (I was looking up the MUTCD signage when I spotted the interim approvals.)  There is an MUTCD sign prohibiting bikes, but it's usually intended for sections of road where bikes are prohibited (not very common).