What's a Sharrow?
A sharrow is a painted bicycle-and-chevron marking that tells drivers and cyclists they're sharing the lane — and where the cyclist should ride for safety.
By Attorney Dan D'Angelo
Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist
A 'sharrow' is a painted road marking of a bicycle and two chevron arrows — also called a 'shared lane marking.' Sharrows are typically painted on streets with a restricted width and a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
The sharrow symbol reminds all road users that the street must be shared with cyclists and that bicycles may take the entire traffic lane. It also guides the cyclist's lane position. For example, the sharrow may be placed further toward the center of the lane to move cyclists away from parked vehicles — a known hazard from unexpected door openings and cars pulling out — and to discourage motorists from making unsafe passes where there isn't enough room.
The painted sharrow also alerts motorists to expect bicycles. That reminder is particularly helpful at intersections where turning vehicles and cyclists going straight may mix, or where vehicles are merging onto a street.
By indicating the preferred path for cyclists and reminding drivers to look for bike traffic, sharrows help reduce conflicts and improve safety for everyone.
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Attorney Dan D'Angelo offers free consultations for brain injury and cycling accident victims throughout Colorado.
About the Author
Attorney Dan D'Angelo
Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist
Attorney Dan D'Angelo founded D'Angelo Law Office, P.C. in 2009 and Bike Brain Law to focus exclusively on traumatic brain injury and cycling injury cases in Colorado. An avid cyclist himself, Dan combines deep TBI science knowledge with hands-on cycling experience to build winning cases against insurance companies and corporations that put profits over safety.
- Practicing Colorado personal injury attorney since 2009
- Focused practice in TBI and bicycle injury litigation
- Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injury victims
- Avid road and commuter cyclist
