Spokane Public Works posted a nifty explanation of what, exactly, sharrows are and how to use them. I’ve posted it below.

You’ll start seeing new markings on streets across town called sharrows. What are sharrows, you say?

Sharrows are pavement markings installed within travel lanes designed to alert motorists that they are sharing the street with bicyclists and to help bicyclists position themselves in lanes to allow motorists to safely pass them.

These markings have been used successfully in other cities across the country, including Seattle, Bellevue and Portland. In Spokane, the new markings will be unveiled when Southeast Blvd. and 37th Ave. reopen to traffic. Southeast Blvd. reopens next week, with 37th Ave. to follow mid-October, and other streets in the future.

To use a sharrow:

Bicyclists:

-Use the sharrow to guide where you ride within the lane – generally through the center of the sharrow when safe to do so.

-Remember not to ride too close to parked cars – watch for opening doors.

-Ride in the same direction as traffic.

-Be aware of your surroundings, and follow the rules of the road.

Drivers:

-Expect to see bicyclists in the travel lane.

-Pass to the left of the cyclist, using the adjacent travel lane. Remain behind the cyclist until it is safe to pass.

-Yield to on-coming bicyclists when turning and look right/behind you when making a right-hand turn.

-Be aware of your surroundings, and follow the rules of the road.

For more information on the Master Bike Plan visit spokaneplanning.org.

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The lines have been painted on Southeast Blvd., and these sharrows look suspiciously similar to bike lanes.

Here’s what our new “sharrows” on Southeast Blvd. look like:

This is what sharrows actually look like:

The difference? Sharrows are shared lanes, reinforcing existing laws that say bicycles and motorized vehicles share the road. The markings go in the right half of a traffic lane, rather than next to the lane.

On Southeast Blvd., they would offer two benefits. First, drivers would be more conscious of bicyclists on blind turns where drivers tend to cut into the bike lane (evidenced by faded lines before the repaving). Second, bicyclists would have a safer option at the turning lane. (See photo below.)

So, City of Spokane. What gives?

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As part of its new Master Bike Plan, the City of Spokane is creating “sharrows,” or shared bike and car lanes, on Southeast Boulevard and 37th Avenue.

Below, you can read the City of Spokane’s explanation of the project and instructions for using sharrows.

With the passage of the City of Spokane’s new Master Bike Plan, along with tremendous new interest in cycling in our community, the City is adding “sharrows” on Southeast Blvd. and 37th Ave. as part of this summer’s construction work to allow bikes and cars to get along better.

Sharrows are pavement markings installed within travel lanes designed to alert motorists that they are sharing the street with bicyclists and to help bicyclists position themselves in lanes to allow motorists to safely pass them.

These markings have been used successfully in other cities across the country, including Seattle, Bellevue and Portland. In Spokane, the new markings will be unveiled when Southeast Blvd. and 37th Ave. reopen to traffic. Southeast Blvd. opens later this month, with 37th Ave. to follow mid-October, and other streets in the future.

On the Southeast Blvd., which is being rehabilitated from 29th Ave. to Perry St., the sharrows will be placed between 27th and 29th avenues connecting the existing dedicated bike lanes on the street.  On 37th Ave., which is being rehabilitated from Perry to Regal streets, the installation of the sharrows, placed the length of the project, will improve bicycle safety and usage along this corridor.

“Sharrows are another tool to enhance our public street system,” says Dave Mandyke, the City’s Public Works & Utilities Director.  “As we embrace multiple modes of transportation, we will continue to find new ways to improve safety for all street users.”

Sharrow markings are recommended to be placed 11-feet from the curb if on street parking exists. Without on-street parking, markings are placed at least 4-feet from the curb if used within a travel lane less than 14-feet.

To use a sharrow:

Bicyclists:

* Use the sharrow to guide where you ride within the lane – generally through the center of the sharrow when safe to do so.
* Remember not to ride too close to parked cars – watch for opening doors.
* Ride in the same direction as traffic.
* Be aware of your surroundings, and follow the rules of the road.

Drivers:

* Expect to see bicyclists in the travel lane.Pass to the left of the cyclist, using the adjacent travel lane.
* Remain behind the cyclist until it is safe to pass.
* Yield to on-coming bicyclists when turning and look right/behind you when making a right-hand turn.
* Be aware of your surroundings, and follow the rules of the road.

For more information on the Master Bike Plan visit spokaneplanning.org.

The post Do You Know About Sharrows? appeared first on Out There Venture.