Safer Cycling in Coralville, Iowa City

Bicyclists in Coralville will now find new pavement markings when they ride along 5th Street. Sharrows, or shared lane pavement markings, were installed in May and show where bicyclists should ride when using a city street, as well as alerting motorists to bicycle traffic. They are commonly used in urban, bicycle-friendly communities. Sharrows look like two arrows on top of a bicycle and are painted a couple feet from the curb. They are an alternative to bike lanes.

“It’s a visibility factor for both motorists and bicyclists,” said Sherri Proud, Director of Parks and Recreation in Coralville. “It makes motorists aware of people on the road, and bicyclists aware of where they should be riding.”

Sharrows are intended not only to increase safety on the roadways, but also to encourage more people to bicycle to work or school, and for recreation.

“Sharrows definitely allow bikers to feel safer when they ride. I do think people who were nervous before will feel more comfortable now,” said Proud, also pointing out that beyond safety, the sharrows will help direct Coralville’s bicycle trail traffic where trails cross through city streets.

The City of Iowa City also made improvements to its roads last summer. Sharrows were painted on Market, Jefferson, and College Streets. Portions of Market and Jefferson Streets will also have bike lanes painted on.

The sharrows were a result of a nine month development process to create a Metro Bicycle Master Plan. The City of Coralville participated in the process, which was part an effort led by the Johnson County Council of Governments. Proud says the City of Coralville will continue to look into creating safer roadways for cyclists as 1st Avenue is redeveloped.