The design of urban intersections is particularly difficult because cars, bicycles, and pedestrians all use intersections differently. However, at most intersections in the United States and Canada, cyclists must merge with car traffic. This causes unsafe riding conditions and in turn reduces the number of people who are willing to bicycle as part of their daily lives.
Reducing the environmental impact of our transportation needs is a critical aspect in moving towards a more sustainable society. Therefore we must reduce risks to cyclists so as to increase ridership. The Dutch are renown for their bicycle-friendly cities and so there is much that we can learn from their approach of intersection design. This video is an excellent introduction to some of the designs that have been successful in the Netherlands.