With the aim of making vehicles aware of the presence of smaller and more vulnerable ones such as scooters, motorcycles, or bicycles, signage using sharrow images was implemented. However, despite the intention, the idea was not successful, as data revealed that the number of cyclist accidents did not decrease, and it even tended to create confusion for vehicles.
That is why the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, signed Senate Bill No. 1216, which prohibited placing this type of signage on streets where cars travel more than 30 miles per hour, limiting it only to safe areas such as slow streets or to help cross an intersection connecting with bike lanes. This measure was also supported by Senator Blakespear, who emphasized the importance of reducing road risk for cyclists.
Risk to cyclists
Although the presence of different types of vehicles on the roads is evident, the truth is that cars are the kings. Not only are they physically more protected, but they also seem to drive with a certain sense of superiority and condescension, ignoring the presence of other vehicles and putting them at risk. This is the case with bicycles, scooters, or motorcycles, which have exactly the same rights and responsibilities on the road, but are much more exposed and unprotected compared to larger vehicles.
In addition to being able to travel on the road, they also have (in some cases) bike lanes or specific infrastructure for them. However, there are also Class III bike lanes or bike boulevards, which have signage indicating that bicycles and cars must share a lane. This signage is called a sharrow and shows a drawing of a bicycle with two arrows above it.
What happened with the sharrow signs?
Although the idea behind sharrow signage was intended to make drivers of larger vehicles aware that they were sharing the road with bicycles, the truth is that safety was not strengthened at all, according to studies. Not only did it create confusion for cars—which continue to drive at high speeds—but it also did not reduce the number of bicycle accidents.
In response to this situation, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill No. 1216, which states: “On and after January 1, 2025, an agency responsible for the development or operation of bicycle lanes or highways where bicycle travel is permitted shall not install a new roadway on a road that has a posted speed limit exceeding 30 miles per hour, except at or near an intersection for the purpose of connecting a Class I, Class II, or Class IV bike lane across the intersection”.
This project aims to improve the safety of bicycles traveling on California roads by restricting the use of sharrow markings to certain roads. This initiative has also been supported by Senator Blakespear, who stated, “As long as cyclists do not have their own lanes on the roads but must share them with cars, we have to be very careful. Limiting the speed allowed on the paths will help reduce the danger for cyclists.” It is expected that this measure will enhance the safety of cyclists on the roads while simultaneously making drivers aware that they are not the only ones on the road.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sharrow?
It is a bike symbol on the car lane to indicate that drivers should share the road.
Why is California limiting them?
Because they didn’t reduce accidents; cars were still going too fast near bicycles.
What does the new law say?
It prohibits placing these symbols on fast streets (over 30 mph) so that bikes only share lanes in slow and safe areas.