What are sharrows? Do they help cyclists? Where should they be used? | Co.Exist

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"Sharrows have always been interesting to me," says researcher Nick Ferenchak, whose paper is under peer review now. "I have maybe a mile or two stretch on my commute where a bike lane transitions to sharrows, and I've always just wondered—is that actually doing anything for me as I'm riding my bike?"

It's possible that they might serve other purposes, he says. "The purpose might just be way-finding, putting them on streets that are already friendly for bicycles, to just help bicycles navigate through specific routes. But when we put sharrows on streets that aren't already bicycle-friendly, it doesn’t make them any safer."

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What are sharrows? Do they help cyclists? Where should they be used? | Co.Exist