Three more roads now have ‘sharrows’

WILMETTE – Over the past couple of days more sharrows have arrived in Wilmette. The bicycle markings popped up at Poplar Drive between downtown and Isabella, on Washington Avenue between Ridge and Hunter and on Park Avenue between Central and Gregory.

Sharrows are meant to be used in situations where cyclists and drivers must coexist in the same lane, like in slower-moving neighborhood streets. According to bicyling.com a sharrow is primarily a positioning tool that tells you where to ride to avoid both flung-open car doors and vehicles passing too closely. In theory, if you ride where the sharrow is placed, you won’t find yourself squeezed in a lane too narrow for cars and bikes together.

The installation of the sharrows was approved during a Transportation Commission meeting in November 2022. They are a result of the 2021 Master Bike and Active Transportation Plan, in which the Village made plans for network of bicycle routes throughout the Village.

Adults and especially children who are not comfortable riding on village streets may still use the sidewalk, except for downtown Wilmette where bikers may interfere with diners and shoppers.

Bike Walk Wilmette is pleased with the newly painted sharrows because they alert drivers to the likely presence of bikes, encouraging them to stay behind the cyclists until it’s safe to pass them, with the 3-feet-rule in mind. According to the Illinois Rules of the Road drivers are required by law (when passing a bicyclist) to allow at least 3 feet of space between your vehicle and the bicyclist. “More space is better, especially when driving at higher speeds.”

Still on busier roads, like Wilmette and Glenview Avenues and Ridge Road Bike Walk Wilmette advocates for protected bike lanes. They offer numerous benefits, including increased safety for cyclists by separating them from motor vehicle traffic, encouraging cycling among a wider population, reducing congestion and air pollution, and enhancing overall quality of life through a safer and more pleasant urban environment. Additionally, they promote physical activity and reduce parking demand.

Next year’s plans call for the installation of sharrows on Locust Road between Glenview and Wilmette Avenues. The Village also promised to improve the safety of the crosswalk on Ridge Road at Highland Ave (heavily used by children going to McKenzie, Highcrest, and Wilmette Junior High) by installing so-called RRFB’s, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons.