New cycle lane markings called sharrows. They are part of a new trial being undertaken by Auckland Transport. Photo / Supplied by Auckland Transport
Would you be able to tell me the meaning of a bicycle sign I have seen on Pt Chevalier Rd? Family members have seen it elsewhere in the city and none of us (most of us being motorists as well as cyclists) know what it means. It is the outline
of a bicycle in white with two parallel arrows above it, painted on the road.
- Audrey van Ryn, Auckland.
These cycle lane markings are called sharrows. They were part of a trial undertaken by Auckland Transport (AT) in 2014. The trial was in place at five Auckland locations: Elstree Ave and Taniwha St roundabout, Glen Innes; Hamana St, Seacliffe Ave and Winscombe St, Belmont; Pt Chevalier Rd, Pt Chevalier; Riddell Rd, Glendowie; and Riverside Ave and Dunkirk Rd, Pt England.
The distinctive stencil-style road markings have been used overseas to improve cyclist safety and promote better road-sharing. Sharrows are used to help reinforce the idea that the roadway is a valid place for cyclists to travel, particularly where the traffic lane is narrow and cycling close to the kerb or parked cars is inadvisable.
The trial has proved to be a success. The road markings are likely to be standardised by July and then rolled out at appropriate sites.
I've recently started working at the airport. I live in Manurewa.
