PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Portland has painted the first of many green "bike boxes" on its streets as a way to give better protection to cyclists.

The boxes are areas at stoplights where cyclists can wait for the light to change, ahead of cars that are also waiting. When the light changes, bicyclists are able to move ahead of cars, whether continuing straight or making a right turn.

Background: Bike boxes coming to Portland intersections

The green box went in on Hawthorne and SE 7th over the weekend.

City of Portland

The new boxes are intended to eliminate a common cause of crashes, when a car turning right fails to see a bicyclist along the street's right side.

City officials endorsed the plan after six fatal bike accidents in Portland during 2007.

Survey: Will bike boxes work?

Cars will not be allowed to turn right on a red light at these sites. More boxes will be painted around the city over the next several weeks.