The City of Bellingham is using Bike Month 2026 to spotlight one of the lesser-known pieces of cycling infrastructure in town: bike boxes. City staff demonstrated this week how the painted boxes at certain intersections allow cyclists to make safer two-stage left turns, reducing potential conflicts with vehicle traffic at busy crossings.
Bike boxes are marked areas at the front of an intersection's stop line, painted on the pavement and reserved for cyclists. When a cyclist needs to make a left turn on a busy street, they can ride straight through the intersection into the bike box, then turn to face the new direction of travel and wait for the next green light. This two-stage turn keeps cyclists in the bike lane throughout the maneuver rather than merging across lanes of traffic, which is where a significant share of bicycle-vehicle conflicts occur.
The City invited residents to comment on what other bike infrastructure they'd like to learn more about, as part of a broader educational push throughout May. Bike infrastructure in Bellingham includes protected lanes, sharrows, bike-specific signals, and the expanding Whatcom County trail network. Bellingham has long held a reputation as one of the more bikeable mid-size cities in the Pacific Northwest, supported by relatively flat terrain in the central city and an active cycling community.
The monthlong celebration culminates in Bike to Work and School Day on Friday, May 15. The annual event encourages residents to swap their car commute for a bike ride, at least for one day. Past years have seen participation from hundreds of riders across the city, with stations set up at various points along popular commute routes offering snacks, encouragement, and raffle prizes for participants.
Bellingham's Public Works department oversees the city's bike network, which has expanded meaningfully in recent years. The department has focused on closing gaps in the protected lane network and improving connections between neighborhoods, the waterfront, and downtown. The Greenways program, funded in part through voter-approved levies, has been a key driver of new infrastructure.
For cyclists who want to explore Bellingham's existing bike infrastructure before May 15, the city maintains updated maps of bike routes and facilities on its website. Trail users can also access the Whatcom County trail network, which connects to regional parks and open spaces north and south of the city.
Beyond commuting, Bike Month in Bellingham includes group rides, community events, and organized rides through some of the county's most scenic terrain. The Whatcom cycling community is among the most engaged in Western Washington, with multiple cycling clubs and advocacy organizations active throughout the year.
Residents who want to get involved in shaping future bike infrastructure in Bellingham can participate in city planning processes and public comment periods. The City of Bellingham's Transportation Division regularly seeks community input on proposed bike network improvements, streetscape projects, and long-range planning updates.
