What is a sharrow?
Have you ever been driving along or riding your bike and seen the above road marking? If you don’t know its purpose or what to do when you see it, read on.
What is a sharrow?
A sharrow, also known as a shared-lane marking, indicates a shared lane for cyclists and motorists, and are often used to mark out cycle routes in local streets. The arrows guide cyclist on where they can position themselves safely in the lane. The marking also alerts drivers that cyclists are present on the road.
Where are sharrows located?
Sharrows aren’t used on roads with heavy or fast-moving traffic. Instead, they’re found on roads with lower speeds where there might not be space for a dedicated bike lane. For example, they’re dotted along the Mike Turtur Bikeway when the route leaves the path and enters the road.
What is a sharrow’s purpose?
Sharrows have multiple purposes. As mentioned earlier, they guide cyclists as well as letting drivers know riders may be present.
They help cyclists to position themselves on roads with on-street parallel parking to reduce the chance of being hit by an opening door of a parked vehicle.
They also help riders and motorists share the road and encourage drivers to give riders more space when they’re passing them.
On top of that, sharrows encourage cyclists to use the road, instead of the footpath, which is safer for pedestrians.
What should cyclists do?
When a cyclist approaches a sharrow they should use the arrow as a guide on where they should be positioned on the road. Sharrows help keep the cyclist visible to other road users, reducing the chance of collisions or doorings from parked vehicles. The arrow can be pointing straight, left or right to show the direction the cyclist needs to travel.
The positioning of sharrows is intended to put cyclists in a clearly visible position that reduces the likelihood of collisions or dooring from parked vehicles. The arrow can be pointing straight ahead, indicating that the route continues straight, or be pointing left or right, indicating that the cycle route takes a turn at the next intersection.
What should motorists do?
When motorists see a sharrow road marking they need to remember to share the road safely and watch out for cyclists. This may mean following behind the cyclist or cyclists until there is an opportunity to safely pass. When overtaking a cyclist, remember to leave a 1m gap if the speed limit is 60km/h or less. If the speed limit is higher, they need to leave a 1.5m gap.
Why is cycling infrastructure so important?
Investment in cycling infrastructure means better safety for cyclists and makes active transport more attractive.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says that’s why RAA has asked in its 2025-26 State Budget Submission for the Government to invest $10 million a year in the state cycling fund.
“This would help to deliver more cycling infrastructure and treatments, including separated lanes and pathways where possible to provide a safer cycling environment,” Charles says.
“These investments help make public and active transport more viable and attractive options, contributing to a healthier, more sustainable South Australia.
“We welcome recent investment in cycle infrastructure across the state under the national Road Safety Program, however, a larger annual fund will allow local governments to better plan for and apply for funds to progress infrastructure upgrades.”