‘Sharrows’ signal bicyclists and motorists to share road

Question: On Young Street, between Isenberg Street and Kalakaua Avenue, there recently was a graphic painted on the road: a bicycle with double upward-pointed arrows above it. I have never seen this before but assumed that it meant that a bicycle lane was beginning ahead. I traveled on Young Street for over a mile and there was no marked bicycle lane. What does the marking indicate?

Answer: What you saw is a “sharrow.” The relatively new “Shared Lane Markings,” more commonly known as “sharrows,” actually indicate the absence of a bike lane.

“Sharrows are often used on designated bikeways when there is not enough space to add bike lanes,” explained Chris Sayers, bicycle coordinator for the city Department of Transportation Services. “They are meant to create awareness and to encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists.”

He said they also are meant to help bicyclists with “lateral positioning” and to help them stay out of the “door zone” when passing parked cars.

Sharrows have been installed on Dole Street, McCully Street, Kalakaua Avenue, Kapahulu Avenue and, most recently, Young Street. “Near-future locations” for sharrows include Varsity Place, Coyne Street, Kapahulu Avenue, Beretania Street and Waialae Avenue, Sayers said.

Sharrows became part of the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in 2009.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, “Shared lane markings help convey to motorists and bicyclists that they must share the roads on which they operate. The markings create improved conditions by clarifying where bicyclists are expected to ride and by notifying motorists to expect bicyclists on the road.”

Question: Buses, commercial vans, taxis and delivery trucks often park illegally on the streets of Waikiki. When I ask the drivers of these vehicles why they are using the streets illegally as loading zones, they point to their PUC (Public Utilities Commission) number and say, “That number makes it legal.” Is that true? If it is true, then why do the signs say, “No Parking.” If it isn’t true, then why don’t the police enforce the law?

Answer: It’s not true.

“PUC stickers do not authorize anyone to park illegally,” said Maj. Cary Okimoto, the Honolulu Police Department’s District 6 (Waikiki) commander.

Regarding enforcement, he said, “If violations are observed, call 911 and we will respond.”

MAHALO

To an honest person. In early April, I did not realize my black backpack purse was left in a shopping cart outside between the Pali Longs and Safeway stores. A good Samaritan turned it in to the Pali Longs. Mahalo also to Steven, the Longs manager, who helped locate me on the very same day. All my personal effects were untouched. Until my purse was returned, it was so agonizing. May good fortune come to all who helped. — Martha

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