1. Letter to the Editor:
Thumbs Up! New ‘sharrow’ lane markings are being installed on Via Escuela and other city streets in
Palm Springs to improve bicyclists and driver safety, education and awareness. Sharrows have become
the norm for many bike friendly cities around the nation and internationally, and now Palm Springs as
part of their Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) has joined the masses. Thanks to the work and
support of Council, the Sustainability Commission’s NMTP sub-committee, and the Engineering & Public
Works Department, more sharrows will be placed on streets in the coming months. In addition, new
bike lane markings on Baristo, Avenida Caballeros and Via Escuela are just another element in the City’s
path to becoming a bicycle Friendly community and bicycle friendly business district. The Sustainability
Commission will be working closely with bicycle interest groups, citizens and merchants to discuss
bicycling as a non-motorized alternative for health & wellness, recreation, work commuting, daily
errands and much more. Plus with the addition of the upcoming CV Loop, Tahquitz Creek and Section
14 bike path and route improvements, Palm Springs is poised to become a recreation bicycle destination
for tourists and citizens alike. For more information go to: www.yoursustainabilecity.com,
www.cvcta.org, or https://www.facebook.com/PalmSpringsBikeCoalition.
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Shared Lane Pavement Marking a.k.a Sharrows
Shared lane pavement markings (or “sharrows”) are bicycle symbols carefully placed to guide bicyclists
to the best place to ride on the road, avoid car doors and remind drivers to share the road with cyclists.
Unlike bicycle lanes, sharrows do not designate a particular part of the street for the exclusive use of
bicyclists. They are simply a marking to guide bicyclists to the best place to ride and help motorists
expect to see and share the lane with bicyclists.
What do sharrows mean for motorists and bicyclists?
Motorists:
• Expect to see bicyclists on the street
• Remember to give bicyclists three feet of space when passing
• Follow the rules of the road as if there were no sharrows
Bicyclists
• Use the sharrow to guide where you ride within the lane
• Remember not to ride too close to parked cars
• Follow the rules of the road as if there were no sharrows