These roadway stencils are shared lane markings, or sharrows.

Sharrows provide visual cues to drivers and bicyclists that reinforce the existing rules of the road and help both parties align themselves within a shared travel lane.

Sharrows improve safety by directing bicyclists to move a little further away from parked cars. Drivers also see how much space to give when safely passing a bicyclist.

In September and October 2010, the City is adding the first sharrows downtown on Commercial Street NE/SE and Chemeketa Street NE and in West Salem on Rosemont Avenue NW and Musgrave Lane NW. The sharrows will be applied to the pavement in the vehicle lanes. In the case of Commercial Street NE/SE (a one-way street), they will be applied to both of the outside lanes.

Sharrows do not indicate separate bike lanes. A motorist can still drive over the sharrows. But if a bicyclist is nearby, drivers can use the sharrow to judge spacing so driver and bicyclist can share the lane safely.