MASON CITY – An expensive pavement marking program has empowered bike-riders to take to the streets, and the Mason City Blue Zone program is warning all citizens to be on the lookout for markers along the roadways.
The Mason City Blue Zone program announced today something most people have already noticed – that Mason City has started street markings for “shared streets” – where motorists are reminded that bike-riders have equal right to use the streets. The cost to taxpayers for these markings and others related to biking have helped skyrocket the cost to mark pavement in the city 167%.
One distinctive road-marking design taxpayers purchased is recognized by shared lane markings, or “sharrows,” a new pavement marking now recognized in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Sharrows, made up of a bicycle symbol and a directional chevron, fill three primary functions: 1) They provide route continuity for cyclists. The sharrow helps assure riders that they are on the bikeway system and moving along a street that is intended for bicycle use; 2) Along with other signage, they increase motorist awareness of bicycles on the street; and 3) Properly placed, they help bicyclists position themselves safely on a street away from the “door zone” of adjacent parked cars.
Many bicyclists have welcomed the “sharrows” and bike lanes that have been painted, saying that now, people in cars are forced to recognize bike riders.
“I feel safer out there,” a bicycle enthusiast told NIT. “It’s about time. I get scowled at while riding my bike sometimes. Now, instead of giving them the finger, I just point at the sharrows.”
Others, however, are not so happy with the new markings.
One NIT reader wrote in with the following complaint: “Now that our streets are marked for bycicle traffic, we are wondering why they do not need a liscense or need to obey traffic rules. We register our cars to be able to drive on city streets. Now we will have [bicycles] riding in car lanes and holding up traffic making many people angry. I think at one time bycicles needed to have a plate on them.”
Listen I don’t need a marking to show me where I can ride my bike or can’t – I ride when I want where I want! I’m going to let Jarret know about this and he won’t be happy!
Well, if the BLUE ZONE said it then it must be gospel. Blue zone is the biggest insurance farce to date. I think I’ll make up a zone and sell it to communities needing to hide money instead of investing in growth. It’ll be huge and we’ll do it all under the guise of making them healthy! They’ll never know what hit ’em! Bwaahaahaa
One should not confuse recreational riders who obey the law with those who only ride because they lost their DL. I would surmise that these folks are just born to break the rules driving a car or a bike.
I agree, a huge waste of money. If everyone, motorists and cyclists, would slow down, take a deep breath and practice a little common courtesy these markings would not be necessary.
What a waste of tax dollars that will need to be repainted every year. This council is a joke when it comes to business management. No way would good business people pay for this.
They keep kids safe, ever think about that? They make people FEEL safer, and that alone is worth the world to us.
Children shouldn’t get used to riding down the middle of the street.
Good article Matt. I don’t have issues with bike-riders who obey the laws, stop for stop signs and don’t hog the road when cars need to pass. I think bike-riders should be required to have a plate on there bikes. Then when they run stop signs and etc. they could be identified and fined same as car drivers. It might reduce accidents when they obey the laws.
As an avid law abiding bicyclist I feel the markings are a waste of tax dollars. I do not feel they have made it any safer to ride, it was not unsafe to ride in the first place. As long as everyone obeys the laws (motor vehicles and Bicyclist) it will be as safe as it is going to be to ride on the streets with or without the markings. You will always have idiots on bikes that do not obey the laws just like you will always have idiots driving motor vehicles that do not obey the laws.
@Iowa Viking-I certainly agree with you on this. I tried to say that and all the haters came after me. I enjoy watching people ride by but those markings on the concrete (which are already fading) do nothing to make them safer. The money would have been much better spent making true bike/walking trails.
These markings are a complete waste of money and very confusung. In some areas they are on the side of the road and in others down the middle of the street. I don’t think we should keep them and I think they will get somebody hurt.
I don’t mind sharing the road with bicycles as long as the do the posted speed limit and stop at all stop signs. Last night, about 9:30 I was east bound on 1st.NW, preparing to stop at Monroe, when 4 people on bicycles, with no lights, flew through the intersection headed west, they were very hard to see. While I’m commenting, I’d like to bring up something I heard. I was told that the city passed a law that you cannot ride a bike on the sidewalk in the business district. True or not???
That has been the law for many years. No bikes on sidewalks downtown. In other areas it is okay.
Thanks for the info, I must be the only one that sees this happening.
Those expensive markings do not change Iowa law. They still must obey all road laws just like before. All those signs do is give them a false sense of security and might end up gettind someone injured, or even worse killed.
If they prevent one person from getting hit by a car they are worth the money. You will find these types of road markings in all bicycle friendly cities. Try leaving MC once in awhile and dicover somethings.
@Mojo-Try a little common sense for a change. Mason City doesn’t have a corner on stupid.
Well no kidding LVS. Common sense isnt so common. Its the reason we have signs. No offense LVS but have you forgotten what its like to be young and dumb? Ive wittnesed my own kids and their friends do some moronic things. So if a sign helps them be a little bit more safe Im all for it. So should you if youve ever had kids.
@Mojo-If you would be a parent to your kids and train them correctly you would not need the taxpayers to put up signs for them Wake up and take responsibility for your own kids behavior. Mojo my butt. Just another person making excuses for kids bad behavior.