Sharrows Get the Point Across on Catalpa Drive
New road markings initially leave some drivers puzzled.
Photos
The sharrows are here!
What's a sharrow, you ask? Well, they're essentially street markings and signage that let motorists know they're supposed to "share" the road with bicyclists.
"I saw the markings. They are in the middle of the road," said Johnny Miller of Ferndale. "It looks like you are going to get a ticket if you drive on Catalpa now. It looks like it's a big bike lane."
That, of course, is not the case. The new road surface markings are part of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan to make Royal Oak a safer city for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
"A sharrow is not an indication of where you should ride your bike," said Interim City Engineer Matt Callahan. "It's a reminder for drivers to be alert for potential bicyclists sharing the road."
Catalpa Drive is one of 10 routes recommended for shared-lane markings, the others are Lincoln Avenue, 11 Mile Road, Gardenia Avenue, Webster Road, Normandy Road, Main Street, Washington Avenue, Coolidge Highway and Greenfield Road.
As the city gets into areas where there is roadwork to be done it incorporates the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan into the construction, Callahan said.
Also new on Catalpa Drive is a left turn lane between Main Street and Washington Avenue.
Want to know how use public roads safely and enjoyably? Callahan recommends reading What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know from the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
Judy Gates
9:48 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I drove on Catalpa and was so excited the see the bike sharrow.....way to go Non-Motorized Transportation Plan!
Chris
6:05 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Was hoping to see marked bike lanes similar to what they have on Catalpa in Berkley, but this a good start.
Random Stranger
8:17 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
BIKES ARE NOT CARS. BIKES NEED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ROAD! I wish I was making the laws around here. Absolutely ridiculous and I will continue to honk and cut bikes off that go 15 MPH on a ROAD THAT IS 25MPH!
l.c.
8:54 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
think before thinking is outlawed.do you have a legit drivers license??? bicyclist have road RIGHTS! kneejerk reactions don't belong on the road.as a bicyclist I DO report any felonious drivers whos aim is to injure or cause serious injury to a pedestrian or bicyclist. get with the program or do time in a cage!
Brian
9:57 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
So you are publicly stating you disobey the law and will continue to disobey the law. You do know, that by law, cyclists can ride two-abreast on Michigan roads? And yet you have no issue with possibly injuring or killing somone? For my safety, and the safety of my children, please reconsider your approach. Thank you.
Random Stranger
1:08 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
its not illegal to honk last time I checked. If a car was going 15 mph, I would honk if your stupid bike is on the road, same freakin rules apply. I will honk. If I pass you and get in front of you and hug the curb so you can't get through, YOU DEAL WITH IT. I never said I was going to mow down bikers, I just said I wish I made the law because I would put bicycles on the SIDEWALK where they belong.
l.c.
8:20 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
almost resembles graffiti / why not a dedicated lane as neighboring cities-Ferndale-Birmingham have? guess we in Royal Oak have to be diff.! how will the suv;s relate?
Brian
9:27 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I'm part of a local bicycling group - and a dozen of us bike 2x/week along Catalpa. This morning, on the new ride-share segment of Catalpa, at 7:15 a.m., with no on-coming traffic, we were agressively approached by a vehicle with its horn sounded; verbally and profanely assaulted; and this vehicle came within inches of striking one of our riders. State law permits two-abreast on roads in Michigan. Is it really worth injuring someone, driving dangerously close, when one can either slow down or move over a few feet? We filed a police report against the driver, who was more than willing to share his name with our group. It is now part of public record; please be aware, Mr. Jack Finn, that your actions are dangerous, illegal, and morally unacceptable and irresponsible.
l.c.
5:05 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
great job/ cool heads prevail & will prevail if we follow the law. random strangers need to get a LIFE please!
Pat
5:50 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
So glad to have cyclists sharing the road, leaving the sidewalks safe for pedestrians!
David Huntsman
3:39 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Mr. Callahan says:
"A sharrow is not an indication of where you should ride your bike."
Which is incorrect. Sharrows indicate where in the lane a cyclist should ride when the lane is too narrow to accommodate a car and a bicycle side-by-side safely, or where on-street parking could pose a "dooring" hazard to passing cyclists.