City Unveils New Bike Signs

Now that the city has installed bike lanes throughout downtown – as part of its – expect to see a new roster of signs, guiding motorists and cyclists around the shared space.

The city sent along this cheat-sheet of what to expect:

• “Sharrows” or “Share the road arrows” denote where bicyclists should be when sharing the lane with vehicles: They are located eleven-feet from the curb, to prevent cyclists from being “doored" when motorists exit their vehicles.  Sharrows may be driven on and over; drivers should yield to bicyclists within the lane, like other vehicles, and pass carefully only where it is clear or safe to do so.

• Bike Lanes: These are protected travel lanes for bicycles only. No person shall drive a vehicle in a bike lane except to park where parking is permitted, enter or leave the roadway, or prepare for a turn within 200 feet of an intersection.

• Center Two-Way Left-Turn Lane: This lane is used by vehicles making left-turns in both directions, from or into the roadway. Designated by parallel double yellow lines (interior line dashed and exterior line solid) on each side of the lane. Left-turn arrow markings are also provided within the lane tip to tip. No vehicle shall drive in a two-way left-turn lane except when preparing to make left-turn from or into the roadway. A driver is limited to using 200 feet of the lane while preparing to turn or merge into the adjacent travel lane.

• Center Median Islands: These are areas within the roadway protected from vehicular use or crossing. Designated by parallel double yellow lines (interior line and exterior line are solid) on each side of the lane. Hatching or diagonal markings are also provided. Vehicles may not enter center median islands.

• Right Edge Line with Hatch Markings: These are provided to prevent parking and they have been installed along portions of Fifth Street West, near West Napa Street. While parking is not allowed in these areas, the roadway is not wide enough to provide bike lanes and an additional travel lane on approach to the intersection. Therefore the area along the curb has been hatched out to reduce conflicting bike and vehicle movements. Vehicles may cross the bike lane into the hatched area to access turn lanes, provided they comply with the rules governing bike lanes. As an example, it is unlawful to cross the bike lane and hatching, to turn right at West Napa Street, unless a vehicle is 200 feet or less from the intersection.

Not sure what all this means? Study the new markings using the visuals, at right.

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