(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ)

Tempe is testing out a new bike lane, meant to create a buffer between cars and bikes. It's only on a half-mile stretch of Priest Drive, but that should be changing in the coming months.

Tempe is testing out a bike lane design meant to make the roadway safer for cyclists and drivers. It's called a "protected" bike lane and it lines the half-mile stretch of Priest drive from Washington to Van Buren streets.

The design features road striping and raised plastic markers reminiscent of candlesticks. The point is to create a buffer between motorists and bicyclists. Bryce Morrison is a local cyclist and an employee at The Pedal Bike Shop in Tempe. He said the new lane is a good thing for the city.

"Yeah, I think it helps give a lot more visibility to the drivers as they’re passing by," Morrison said. "I think it kind of adds to the safety element."

The city will evaluate the effectiveness of the new bike lanes. Additional protected lanes are expected to be added within the next eight months. Tempe has more than 175 bikeways and a bike commuter rate far above the national average.