Chapter 7 · Lesson 31 of 38
Bike lanes, sharrows and colored lanes
3 min read · Safe Vehicle Operation
Figures in this lesson
Explanation
Bike paths and lanes are only for bicycles, unless signs allow joint use with pedestrians or the driver is on official duty (such as delivering mail).
- Don’t drive or park in a bike lane or block bicycle traffic.
- Don’t move into a bike lane to prepare for a turn.
- Yield to bicyclists in a designated bike lane.
- Cross a bike lane only when turning, or entering or leaving an alley, driveway or private road.
- Be careful opening a door or backing out when parked on the street.
Sharrows — a bicycle with two arrows above it — help cyclists stay away from parked cars and tell drivers to expect cyclists in the travel lane.
Colored pavement: green may mark bike lanes; red may mark bus or transit lanes (buses, taxis or other public transit).
Example
You’re turning right into a driveway across a bike lane. You let an approaching cyclist pass, then cross the bike lane as you turn — you don’t drive along in it first.
Common mistake
Pulling into the bike lane a block early to get ready for a right turn. Stay in your lane and cross the bike lane only at the turn.
What the manual says
Bicycle paths and lanes shall be used exclusively for the operation of bicycles unless:
Do not move into a bicycle path or lane in preparation for a turn
Green colored pavement may be used to enhance the visibility of bike lanes. Red colored pavement may be used to enhance the visibility of bus or transit lanes that are designated for buses, taxis, or other modes of public transit.
Sources
- Manual p. 53
“Bicycle paths and lanes shall be used exclusively for the operation of bicycles unless:”
- Manual p. 53
“The driver is on official duty, such as delivering mail”
- Manual p. 53
“Do not drive or park in bicycle paths or lanes, or place the vehicle in a manner that may impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane”
- Manual p. 53
“Do not move into a bicycle path or lane in preparation for a turn”
- Manual p. 53
“Yield the right of way to an individual operating a bicycle on a designated bicycle path or lane”
- Manual p. 53
“Cross a bicycle path or lane only when turning or when entering or leaving an alley, driveway, or private road”
- Manual p. 53
“Sharrow markings are pavement markings of a bike with two arrows above it and are intended to help cyclists position themselves away from parked cars and to alert other road users to expect cyclists to occupy travel lanes.”
- Manual p. 53
“Green colored pavement may be used to enhance the visibility of bike lanes. Red colored pavement may be used to enhance the visibility of bus or transit lanes that are designated for buses, taxis, or other modes of public transit.”
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 3