BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Did you notice the automatic walking signals in downtown Bellingham started a little early a few weekends ago?

That’s because the city’s Public Works department is piloting a new system to increase safety for bicyclists and pedestrians according to Public Works’ Natalie Monro.

Pending council approval, the city will begin installing a bike lane down Holly Street through downtown this May.

Changing what time the walk signals are triggered will be a part of the change. Monro said that the new walk signal technology is called Leading Pedestrian Indicators (LPIs). It activates the walk sign a few seconds before giving the green for car traffic.

Monro said teams have been testing the LPIs over the last few weeks. She added the additional time before the green light provides more visibility to pedestrians as they can get ahead of the cars.