USM Roundabout Sharrows

[John Brooking]

We talked last year about the incorrect sharrow placement in the USM roundabout, at the edge rather than in the center. I think of this every week when I pedal to band practice in Portland on Tuesday nights.

I figured that spring would be the best time to remind the city about that, as they're presumably lining up their summer striping plans. Shall we draft up a quick letter? I could do that. Or will just an email do?

John Brooking

Cyclist, Cycling Educator, Technologist

https://www.facebook.com/CyclingSavvy4ME/, http://cyclingsavvy.org

[Zack Barowitz]

Probably both. 

207-838-6120

917-696-5649
ZacharyBarowitz.com

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[John Brooking]

Draft email and/or letter:

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To Whom It May Concern,

The Portland Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee wishes to request that the City of Portland correct the placement of bicycle shared lane markings ("sharrows") which appeared last year in the USM roundabout. For whatever reason, they were painted on the extreme edge of the roundabout, between the entrance and exit points.

This is in contradiction to guidance from the MUTCD 2023 edition, which states that

If used, shared-lane markings should be placed in the center of the lane when used inside of circulatory roadways. (MUTCD 2023, Part 9, Section 9E.10)

As the city engineers and planners are no doubt aware, the reason for this placement is to guide bicyclists to a lane position that maximizes their visibility and relevance to motorists considering entering the roundabout ahead of them, or exiting from behind. The edge placement is therefore inappropriate guidance which places bicyclists in more danger than would the lane control position suggested by centered sharrows. The edge placement also results in reinforcing the mistaken impression among much of the public that the proper position of bicyclists on roadways is always at the edge, whereas the actual statute and safety guidance is much more subtle.

We therefore respectfully request that as part of this year's restriping effort, the edge sharrows be blacked out, and replaced by centered sharrows.

Thank you for your consideration.

John Brooking

Cyclist, Cycling Educator, Technologist

https://www.facebook.com/CyclingSavvy4ME/, http://cyclingsavvy.org

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[Zack Barowitz]

Good letter John, I don’t have any changes other than to suggest that the apparent standard size for sharrows is too small and they should be made bigger (thius more emphatic), like they do in Europe. 

Thanks 

Zack 

207-838-6120

917-696-5649
ZacharyBarowitz.com

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[Aaron L. Rosenblum]

Good letter! I would only change “wishes to request” to just “requests.” The letter isn’t a wish, it’s a request! 

Aaron 

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[John Brooking]

Thanks for the feedback.

By “wishes to” I think I was going for “is writing to”, but that's a more accurate way of saying it. Or I’m fine with your suggestion to drop the phrase altogether.

Zack, I’d prefer not to complicate the ask with a request to go beyond the published American standards. I know, ask for more then you’ll settle for, but to be honest, I’m fine with the standard size, and being centered instead of on the edge will all by itself greatly increase their conspicuity. But I guess we could at least mention size if the group wants to. 

Leadership, what’s the next step to sending this to the City? Copy to Committee letterhead?

John Brooking

Cyclist, Cycling Educator, Technologist

https://www.facebook.com/CyclingSavvy4ME/, http://cyclingsavvy.org

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[Zack Barowitz]

Maybe a larger (~10’) sharrow standard is another letter, but it is a worthwhile conversation. The bigger markings take the whole lane and, semaphorically, make send a stronger (and clearer) message about where bikes should be. 

I’ve never thought that the standard ~3’ sharrow was a particularly good bit of iconography—more of a whisper than a shout—and requires an explanation. It’s understandable that an uninformed vendor would place the marking on the edge because it (almost) fits and it is one interpretation of “sharing the lane.”

Also, as a general  style rule, I prefer using fewer words to convey a thought; so since “wishes to request” and “request” have essentially the same meaning in this context, I’d opt for the latter. 

Thanks again,

Zack

207-838-6120

917-696-5649
ZacharyBarowitz.com

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[Maya Lena]

Hi Everyone! 

Thank you for your work on this. I don’t want to muddy the waters of the Sharrow talk but I wanted to add this as it relates to road paint near the roundabout. 

The parking spots/bike lane just east of the roundabout on Deering Ave have the same issue as Stevens Ave - very narrow parking spot adjacent to the bike lane. I have attached a screen shot.  If you think it makes sense to include this issue in the letter, please do!

Maya

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