Have you noticed those new bike markings on the street?
Shared Lane Marking
A “sharrow” is a pavement marking that includes a bike stencil with two arrows above it. These markings are painted on streets that are good for bike traffic, but are too narrow for separate bike lanes. Sharrows alert motorists and bicyclists that they may need to use a single lane on the street as they travel. Sharrows are also used in locations where a bike lane ends and bicyclists must merge with other traffic.
Bike Lane Marking
Bike Lanes give bicyclists and motorists their own, assigned and separate spaces on the road. A bike lane is a portion of the roadway that has been designated by striping and pavement markings for use by bicyclists. Bike lane markings include a solid line and a stencil of a person on a bike with an arrow above to indicate the proper direction for travel. Bicyclists should always ride in the direction indicated by the arrow painted on the street.
These new street markings are part of an ongoing effort to help motorists and bicyclists share the road safely. Fifth Street, Old Highway 63 and Chapel Hill Road are all being marked.
