1. Bicycle lanes

These on-road painted lanes are intended to provide cyclists with a defined space and help organize the flow of traffic. They’re also a visual sign to motorists that cyclists have a right to the road.

Motor vehicles can occupy space on both sides of the bike lane and are able to cross the lane at any time. Most bike lanes are located to the left of the parking lane and as such require motorists to cross the bike lane when entering or leaving a parking spot. Motorists also must cross the bike lane when turning at an intersection, lane or driveway. Motorists need to be alert for cyclists already in the lane, in particular at intersections.

Cyclists are not limited to the use of a bike lane when it’s provided. While the bike lane offers a defined space for cyclists, there are times when they may have to leave the bike lane in order to change lanes, make a turn or leave the roadway. Motorists should always be aware of cyclists on the road and note that the solid line on each side of the lane does not mean the cyclist cannot leave the bike lane.

2. Sharrows

Sharrows are pavement markings painted on a roadway to encourage cyclists and motorists to share the road. They’re generally intended for use on roadways with lanes that are wide enough for side-by-side bicycle and vehicle operation. However, motorists should always pass cyclists at a safe distance and should not assume that the sharrow indicates that they can pass within the travel lane. Depending on the positioning of the cyclist, it may be necessary to change lanes in order to pass safely.

Sharrows don‘t designate a bicycle lane and should not be treated as such.While some cyclists will ride down the center of the arrow, in many locations, the sharrow marking simply indicates cyclists and motorists are to share the lane and is not an indication of where a cyclist rides within the lane.