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Bike boxUnited Kingdom

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United Kingdom. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United Kingdom

43. Bike box

A bike box, also called an advanced stop area, is a marked space at a signal-controlled intersection where cyclists can wait ahead of motor vehicles while the traffic light is red. It is usually positioned between two stop lines and may display a bicycle symbol.

A bike box helps increase cyclist visibility and allows cyclists to position themselves clearly before traffic starts moving. The exact users, markings and traffic-light rules vary between countries.

Bike box
Crossroad with bike box. (London, United Kingdom)
Wikimedia.org • Nordelch • CC BY-SA
What is a bike box or advanced stop area in the United Kingdom?

UK advanced stop lines create a marked area at traffic lights where cyclists can wait ahead of motor vehicles. Rule 178 regulates how motorists stop at the two lines.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 175–178; cyclists Rule 71

🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: bus and cycle signs and road markings (Great Britain)

Where should a car wait when a marked bike box has a red light in the United Kingdom?

Under UK Highway Code Rule 178, motorists must stop at the first white line reached on red or amber. If already across it when the signal changes, stop as soon as possible and no later than the second line; do not reverse to clear the box.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 175–178; cyclists Rule 71

🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: bus and cycle signs and road markings (Great Britain)

Does a bike box let cyclists ignore a red signal in the United Kingdom?

No. A bike box is a positioning facility, not a general exemption from red traffic lights. Cyclists must obey their applicable lights and any specially authorised turn indications. Turning drivers must check for cyclists moving off when signals change.

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code: Rules 175–178; cyclists Rule 71

🔗 gov.uk • DfT Know Your Traffic Signs: bus and cycle signs and road markings (Great Britain)

1 United Kingdom 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Bike path 5 Pedestrian warning 6 Bridge 7 Speed bump 8 Toll road 9 One-way traffic 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Bus stop 14 Dead end 15 Stop sign 16 Give way 17 Roundabout 18 Road narrowing 19 Priority over oncoming traffic 20 Give way to oncoming traffic 21 Pedestrian crossing 22 Railway crossing 23 Mandatory direction 24 Turn prohibition 25 School area 26 Crossing animals 27 Slippery road 28 Rockfall 29 Aircraft 30 Curve 31 Chevron 32 Wrong-way driving 33 Roadworks 34 Height limit 35 Radar speed sign 36 Selective barriers 37 Low-emission zone 38 Priority at the next junction 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Road markings 42 Climbing lane 43 Bike box 44 Left-hand traffic 45 Speed feedback 46 Driving licence 47 Cycling route 48 Parking 49 No parking 50 Park and ride 51 Disabled parking 52 Reversing 53 Detour 54 Road surface 55 Verge 56 Traffic calming 57 Horse riding 58 Emergency exit 59 City limit 60 Tourist attraction 61 Licence plate 62 Charging station 63 Dangers 64 Dip 65 Tram lane 66 Cyclist 67 Bus 68 Police 69 Ambulance 70 Roadway 71 Street 72 Pothole 73 Private road 74 Path 75 Particulates 76 Air pollution 77 Rush hour 78 Road code 79 Two-way traffic 80 Tram stop 81 Street gutter 82 Cargo bike 83 Forestry vehicle 84 Construction vehicle 85 Semi-trailer truck 86 Trolleybus 87 Speed pedelec 88 Delivery vehicle 89 Idling 90 Tow truck 91 Four-wheel drive 92 Passenger 93 Bicycle 94 Motorcycle equipment 95 Tram 96 Rail track 97 Public transport 98 Caravan 99 Trailer 100 Tow hitch ...