The so-called sharrow symbol has now appeared on supremely quiet residential streets in Rosedale and Moore Park. Above, the corner of MacLennen and Garfield Aves. would put most car-counters to sleep. But there they are, Shared Lane Pavement Markings, with implied instruction for both cyclists and motorists about how to behave when you see or are near one of the others. These are near the Whitney Public School zone. Sharrows are a reminder to share the road of course but any well-informed driver who has read the Highway Traffic Act knows that. What does the sharrow symbol mean in precise terms? Driving devilry will be in the details. At corners like MacLennan and Garfield, does it mean cyclists can overtake cars to “occupy” the stop, requiring cars to line up behind? It seems clear that sharing does not mean that cyclists have to wait behind a car although that question is not asked nor answered in writings online. Bicycles are permitted to overtake cars for lots of reasons. Cars and bicycles are frequently seen in line at the narrow (sharrowed) portion of Moore Ave. approaching Welland Ave. Bikes travelling to Mt. Pleasant however are more likely just to mount the sidewalk at the end of the bike lane.
