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When the 12th Avenue S. cycle track opens to two-wheeled traffic early Tuesday morning, city staff will hand out brochures along the route to explain the new lights, signs and markings to commuters.

Some, like a red-yellow-green signal with bike logos, should be intuitive enough. But some supplementary literature could benefit the cyclists and drivers not yet acquainted with the green boxes with multiple turning signs painted in white.

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When the Herald asked transportation staff to explain what’s called a “two-staged turn box” to reporters, it took some brief conferencing among the officials, and more time to coach a communications aide how to demonstrate its use.

Photo by Jason Markusoff / Calgary Herald

As much standing around and pointing ensued, a food truck driver turning past the crowd hollered to them: “Because that’s not confusing as s—.”

It will take some time for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to figure everything out as the first of the temporary barrier-separated bike lanes opens around 6 a.m. Tuesday, said Don Mulligan, Calgary’s transportation planning director.

“All of those things are new, and there’s going to be an adjustment period,” he said.

Summer staff will act as cycling “ambassadors” to educate various users of the route, and “let them know how to behave, what to expect, how to read the signs and interpret them,” Mulligan said.