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FAQ FOR SHARED ROADWAY MARKINGS

Q. I've seen these new markings of a bike with two chevrons/arrows above it on the streets. What do they mean?

A. These are "Shared Roadway Markings" which are intended to show where cyclists can ride on the street without being hit by a suddenly opened car door. Although it is the motorist's responsibility to check before opening their door, riding too close to parked cars (in the "door zone") is still a common mistake that can lead to serious injury. These markings will also be used in situations where it may not be obvious where cyclists should be riding, such as at intersections with multiple turn lanes.

Q. But on some streets, cyclists riding over this marking will take the entire lane. Aren't they supposed to move to the right?

A. Not always. According to the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21202, cyclists are to stay to the right except to pass other cyclists or vehicles, to prepare to make a left turn, or when necessary to avoid conditions (including fixed or moving objects, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel side by side) that make it unsafe to continue along the right. Moving to the left in the lane to avoid car doors, for instance, even if it means taking the entire lane, is permitted by the CVC.

Q. Can't cyclists just look into parked cars as they ride and see if someone is about to open the door?

A. This can be very difficult to do. Cyclists, along with all road users, need to constantly scan the entire roadway for safety. Checking every car for a driver is difficult to do without compromising attention paid to the road. Also, it is often impossible to see drivers due to large parked vehicles blocking the view of other parked vehicles, tinted windows, headrests, etc. Car drivers should check their sideview mirror or look back prior to opening their door. It is the driver's responsibility should any collision occur (CVC Section 22517).

Q. If I see these markings in a lane, is the lane only for bikes?

A. No. This marking is used for shared lanes; lanes that are used by bicyclists and motorists. Shared lanes are different than bike lanes which are set aside for bicyclists and are marked by a solid white line and a different symbol.

Q. So, if I don't see these markings, then it's not a shared lane and bicyclists aren't supposed to be there?

A. No, cyclists can ride on any street in

San Francisco except for limited access freeways with signs explicitly prohibiting cyclists (such as I-280 or parts of US 101). Just as every street in San Francisco has a 25mph speed limit unless stated otherwise (even if there is no speed limit sign), cyclists are allowed on every street regardless of whether there is a marking or sign for them, unless stated otherwise.

Q. Are these markings going to be on every street that does not have a bike lane?

A. No, these markings will be used primarily on streets designated as part of the San Francisco Bicycle Route Network. By the end of 2005, there will be 2500 markings painted, equivalent to about 120 lane miles or 60 miles of two-way streets.

Q. I've never seen these markings before. Why are they being used now?

A. There has never been an official marking to use on streets with shared lanes. The San Francisco Department of Parking and Traffic, in an effort to make cycling safer on such streets, went to the California Traffic Control Device Committee (CTCDC ), the state body responsible for advising Caltrans on changes to approved sign and pavement marking designs, to ask for approval of a marking for shared lanes. Permission to experiment was granted and

San Francisco hired a consultant to conduct a study of various markings . The CTCDC approved the results of the study and recommended to Caltrans that the marking be adopted for the state of California Caltrans adopted the marking in September 2005, making California the first state to officially adopt a marking for shared lanes.

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