Bike box and stop line
How to use the stop line correctly and avoid blocking the bike box at traffic lights.
A bike box in front of the stop line is meant to give cyclists a safer start in the intersection. For you as a driver, that means your position and stopping point must be precise, especially during rush hour and in dense traffic.
What you need to know
- The stop line applies even when you feel you could roll a little farther forward.
- The bike box makes cyclists more visible before the light turns green.
- Wrong positioning can block cyclists or create conflict when traffic moves off.
Typical situations
| Situation | What you should do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Red light with an empty bike box | Stop at your own stop line even if the space ahead seems free. | Using the bike box as extra room for the car. |
| Queue approaching an intersection | Judge your stop early so you do not drift over the line. | Focusing only on the car ahead and forgetting the markings. |
| Cyclists on the right side | Hold a clear position and be prepared for them to move into the box. | Turning toward the box without checking the cyclists. |
Common mistakes
- Thinking the box only matters if cyclists are actually standing there.
- Stopping too late because you follow the flow of the queue.
- Overlooking that the bike box is connected to lane choice and indicator use.
How to practice
Read this together with Pedestrian crossings and right of way , The door zone and Dutch reach and Road markings .