Sharrows
Sharrows (shared lane markings) are pavement markings that are installed within shared travel lanes (lanes shared by cars and bicycles). The marking is a bicycle with a chevron above it.
Sharrows can be helpful on streets where there is insufficient space to add bicycle lanes. Sharrows are primarily installed on streets with:
- heavy 24-hour on-street parking
- no parking where the travel lane is too narrow for a motorist to pass a cyclist without changing lanes
By riding through the center of the sharrow, the cyclist positions himself or herself a safe distance from the curb or parked cars to avoid being squeezed off the road or hit by suddenly opened car doors.
- If a cyclist is riding too close to the curb and a motorist attempts to pass the cyclist too closely, the cyclist could crash into the curb and fall off of their bike.
- If a cyclist is riding too close to parked cars, and somebody were to open a car door, the cyclist could possibly get injured, especially if there was passing automobile traffic.
Sharrows are currently installed on segments of Clifton Avenue, Ludlow Avenue, Madison Road, and Spring Grove Avenue.
Sharrow Signage
These signs are located in corridors where multiple sharrows have been installed. The signs remind motorists that they will be sharing a lane with cyclists and that they must change lanes in order safely pass cyclists.