Moncton 'sharrows' create confusion

The City of Moncton has put new markings on several streets to remind motorists and cyclists about sharing the road, but they're actually creating some confusion.

The so-called "sharrows" a large bike symbol and two arrows are painted in the middle of designated bike routes that have parking along the side.

They are not traditional bike lanes, stressed Stphane Thibodeau, transportation co-ordinator for the city.

"They're basically to provide education and awareness for both motorists and cyclists that you share the road."

The city put signs up more than a year ago, but only painted the symbols a few weeks ago, said Thibodeau.

"So people are seeing this paint and wondering what it is, but basically, overall, we're seeing more cyclists on the roads and we're seeing people respecting cyclists more and more," he said. "It's working quite well."

Michel Desjardins, who has been biking for 10 years in the city, thinks the new markings help keep motorists and cyclists clear about where they're going.

"So that indicates to cyclists, who may be tempted to go on the reverse side, to indicate to them that they're actually going in the wrong direction," he said. "They have to follow the traffic and follow the rules of the road."

Thibodeau hopes that despite some initial confusionthe sharrows will become a well understood traffic symbol.