Brent ToderianNov 14, 2022
Never forget, a 13-year study of a dozen cities found that protected bike-lanes led to a drastic decline in fatalities for ALL ROAD USERS. And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all. As for sharrows, it’s safer to NOT have them. Via #StreetsblogUSA, read their article linked below. #bikelanes #bikes #cities #transportation #mobility #sharrows #infrastructure #urbanplanning
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2019/05/29/protect-yourself-separated-bike-lanes-means-safer-streets-study-says/
Separated Bike Lanes Means Safer Streets, Study Says

Cities that build protected lanes for cyclists end up with safer roads for people on bikes and people in cars and on foot, a new study of 12 large metropolises revealed Wednesday.

Streetsblog USA
Show threadhubick
@BrentToderian Even though there's no practical benefit to sharrows, I still like them better than nothing, cuz, at the very least, it's a statement that I, as a cyclist, BELONG there. It's recognition cyclists even EXIST on our roadways, and informs motorists "this is a place where bikes SHOULD be, make room for them!" That gives me COURAGE to take the lane when I want to, and motorists can WAIT, because this is MY space too. If nothing else, I view it as a MENTAL benefit to cyclists.
Nov 14, 2022 at 5:12amWeb
Show threadGraeme HiltonNov 15, 2022
@hubick @BrentToderian But the evidence says it is safer without them.
Show threadPeteNov 15, 2022

@hubick @BrentToderian
I've concluded that those markings mean nothing to the overwhelming majority of motorists.

The reason I oppose #sharrows is that they are used by cities to claim progress and improvement that doesn't actually improve safety. My city slapped them on a bunch of roads and declared some number of miles of bike infrastructure were built.

But keep on taking the lane, friend, you're fighting the good fight. You using the road visibly does 100x more to change driver behavior!

Show threadhubickNov 15, 2022
@forpeterssake @BrentToderian I believe you're correct, sharrows don't mean anything to motorists, but they mean something to me (slightly more than nothing). I also hope they serve to carve out spaces where better infra can come later. And you're totally right about using them as propaganda about all the infra they've provided, which gives me a great idea - we should all re-draw our city cycling maps without the sharrows to show how pathetic the situation really is!
Show threadJim MayerNov 30, 2022
@hubick @forpeterssake @BrentToderian I like sharrows on seriously traffic calmed streets, but I don't think they should be used anywhere else. I also don't think municipalities should be able to count unbuffered painted bike lanes toward their "XXX km of cycling infrastructure". Pure personal opinion, but my 2¢.
Show threadTom KarloNov 16, 2022
@forpeterssake @hubick @BrentToderian Can we maybe get some car sharrows that let the cars know which lanes they're supposed to use?
Show threadPeteNov 16, 2022

@tkarlo
@hubick @BrentToderian

So like a woonerf? Yes please!

Show threadTom KarloNov 19, 2022
@forpeterssake @hubick @BrentToderian I genuinely have no idea what that is
Show threadDr. Tineke D'HaeseleerNov 19, 2023
@tkarlo @forpeterssake @hubick @BrentToderian fiets straat in Flanders! Cars have to stay behind bikes. A bit nerve-wrecking as a cyclist if you have a long street with a line of duckling cars behind you and you’re not a fast rider, tbh!
Show threadgeobeck 🏳️‍🌈Nov 16, 2022

@hubick @BrentToderian That's exactly the false sense of security mentioned in the article.

A week ago I was nearly hit by an impatient motorist in a shared lane even though I clearly signalled my intentions for a full 2 seconds. Of course, this is Vancouver, where there is essentially ZERO speed enforcement.

Show threadhubickNov 16, 2022
@geobeck @BrentToderian I almost get killed by vehicles 3 times every day I ride my bike, so believe me when I say the sharrow has not lulled me into some false sense of security, and find the statement this is "exactly" that to be insulting. It's not that. It's a label for places where I intend to FULLY exert my right to safely use that roadway. I will take the lane ALL DAY LONG, and motorists can fucking wait. Or lose all their teeth to my u-lock if they endanger me. MY place.
Show threadgeobeck 🏳️‍🌈Nov 17, 2022

@hubick @BrentToderian When a bike is in a collision with a motor vehicle, the car ALWAYS wins. The phrase "dead right" takes on a literal meaning when bikes assert their right of way in the path of a motorist who is unwilling to give up their lane.

If you almost die 3 times a day, that's not a reasonable assertion of your place on the road; that's dangerously misinformed risk management.

I hope it doesn't take a long hospital stay to hone your risk management skills.