Glossary

An extension of the sidewalk or curb line into the parking lane to reduce the effective street width. Also known as curb bulb-outs or neckdowns, curb extensions significantly improve pedestrian crossings by reducing the pedestrian crossing distance, visually and physically narrowing the roadway, improving the ability of pedestrians and motorists to see each other, and reducing the time that pedestrians are in the street.  Curb extensions are only appropriate where there is an on-street parking lane. Curb extensions should not extend more than 6 feet from the curb, and must not extend into travel lanes, bicycle lanes or shoulders. The turning needs of larger vehicles, such as school buses, need to be considered in curb extension design.