End the sharrow experiment, says this columnist.
Luisa D'Amato writes: " Sharrows — those bicycle symbols on a green background that are painted on some downtown streets — are confusing and pointless. It's time for them to go."
D'Amato is writing from the Region of Waterloo, in Ontario, where a "kefluffle" recently erupted over a a public service announcement about bicycle safety. The Waterloo Regional Police created two videos, one for drivers and one for people on bikes. "They offer tips like leaving a metre of space between you and the cyclist, if you're driving. Wear a helmet and know the hand signals, if you're cycling. That sort of thing," writes D'Amato.
The problem arises in the video for people on bikes. Riders are "advised to ride to the right of the street." The cyclist show exemplifying that behavior rides right past a sharrow in the process. That raises questions about what sharrows really mean. D'Amato is sympathetic to the frustration of cyclists, and decides that sharrows are a failed experiment that should be ended.
FULL STORY: D’Amato: ‘Sharrows’ are a failed cycling experiment
Sharrows Are Ineffective, Potentially Counterproductive
Research shows there’s no substitute for protected bike lanes, and sharrows may make roads more dangerous for cyclists.
Nation's Top Safety Board Recommends Protected Bike Lanes
The NTSB chair issued a stark warning on Nov. 5: "If we do not improve roadway infrastructure for bicyclists, bicyclists will die who otherwise would not," stated Robert Sumwalt in introducing their first report in 47 years devoted to bike safety.
Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service