October 2, 2007 – Capital Bike and Walk is releasing a research paper on a recently developed road marking – the shared use arrow or “sharrow” – that promises to greatly expand cycling networks in Canadian cities.

Cyclists are riding roads in cities across the country where marked bike lanes and other facilities are helping to make roads safer and more appealing. The new “sharrow” marking – a bike stencil capped with a pair of chevrons – is a new design pioneered in European and American cities that better identifies road positioning for both cyclists and motorists on narrower roads and travel lanes where marked bike lanes can’t fit into existing rights-of-way.

Research shows that road markings and other treatments to accommodate on-road cycling are improving conditions for cyclists, enhancing safety and increasing the appeal of cycling as a transportation choice for many current and would be cyclists.

The new “sharrow” is expected to be endorsed by the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) this fall. TAC are currently updating their bicycle facilities guidelines.

Experimental use of the “sharrow” can already be found in Victoria, Saanich and Vancouver in Canada and can be found in a number of American cities where performance of the design is being monitored by the U.S. National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

The CBWS paper on “sharrows” provides more comprehensive information — please click here.

Capital Bike and Walk Society – www.capitalbikeandwalk.org
Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism Alliance – www.cyclevancouverisland.ca

For more issue and infrastructure audits visit www.capitalbikeandwalk.org/audits.html/

Also available for practictioners: “Bicycles at Rest – A bicycle parking best practices guide”

Photo galleries of issues in cycling and walking at www.flickr.com/photos/luton/

Publication of the Sharrows paper is sponsored by Capital Bike and Walk and the Friends of Cycling and Walking.