Please don't hit me!

Regular readers of this blog may wonder why I've decided yet again to write about cycling on Winnipeg streets. But most days, these two-wheeling times are among my most enjoyable moments. Also particularly enjoyable is listening to Blue Jays baseball on Morden's country station, but who wants to hear about that? I've put in over 1000 km in '08 on the mean streets of the city, and over 900 in the last two months, so I come by this obsession honestly.

The title is a reference to the message sent by the new 'sharrows' that have begun appearing on Winnipeg streets.

From the article:

New bicycle lanes are being painted on more than a half a dozen busy traffic routes throughout Winnipeg.

The new lines create "sharrows," or narrow lanes demarcated on existing streets; it's hoped they'll help ease tension between cyclists and motorists, who often feel like rivals for space on the roads.

"It's going to increase the awareness of drivers to share the road with cyclists, and … it'll increase the awareness for cyclists, you know, to stay where the sharrows are," said Janice Lukes of the city's active transportation advisory committee.

Since the new lanes are on seven busy streets, most of the people who will use them will be experienced cyclists, Lukes said. She hopes the sharrows lead the city to take more steps to become more cycling-friendly.

"It's an absolutely huge first step, from nothing to this — and then it's only a matter of time where you're going to have more families [who] want separated lanes," she said.

"I do believe that the will of the government is there to where eventually we'll see that, maybe in the next two years. It wouldn't surprise me."

The city set aside $100,000 in the 2008 capital budget for the sharrow initiative.

The lanes, accompanied by signs urging motorists and cyclists to "share the road," will appear on:

• Higgins Avenue.
• Roblin Boulevard.
• Grant Avenue.
• Regent Avenue.
• Plessis Road.
• Dakota Street.
• Dunkirk Drive.

I've been up and down Dunkirk Dr in the past few days where the sharrows have been painted. I take exception to them being described as either 'bike lanes' or 'lines' as the author of the article has done, but generally I welcome any reminder to drivers that cyclists on the road aren't thrill-seekers but in fact have every right to be there.

[Read the lower rated comments attached to the CBC article for some particularly misinformed and misanthropic vitriol from drivers]

Directional arrows offer help to confused cyclists.

I do question the broader implications of sharrows on a select number of routes. The signs and painted images of bicycles on the streets don't confer any new rights or responsibilities on either cyclists or drivers. Whether you are driving or riding on a signed street like Dunkirk or Roblin, or an unsigned one, the fact remains the same: cyclists have a right to the road.

The tone is a bit motherly, but the law requires motorists and cyclists to share every road.

Some drivers, though, might get the impression that the marked streets are somehow different, and that their blatant disregard for the life and limb of cyclists on other roads is justified. The Dunkirk sharrows cover only a 1 km stretch [edit: I went by again and realized the sharrows continue down Dakota to Bishop Grandin and likely past St. Vital mall. Still only in 1 direction], only the southbound portion, as if this was some tiny cycling Valhalla. But it's not: the regular hazards like broken glass, drains and manhole covers occupy the same curbside space.

So far my $5 tires are winning the battle against curbside debris, including the broken glass pictured.

I'm questioning, not complaining. Any attention to cycling issues is welcome, even if it's an article about a ridiculous bike radio backpack (driving with headphones is worse, but still . . .). You'll notice even that story manages to get in some good stuff:

Ravenelle said bike-vehicle accidents will be all too common until cyclist-only lanes are created around the city.

"If downtown Montreal can do it, Winnipeg can do it. We absolutely need bike-only lanes, not bus and bike lanes. It's ridiculous riding with a bus trying to go around you," he said. "There has to be a lot more education and advocacy put into teaching people to coexist on the road. The easiest thing to do is have dedicated bike lanes. Does Main Street really need four lanes?"

I guess what I'm trying to say is that sharrows aren't bike lanes. It's a start, though.