In step with the City of Cleveland's Bikeway Masterplan, an informal collaboration between citizens, City of Cleveland councilmen, non-profits, & several City of Cleveland staffers has resulted in the first use of Sharrows or Shared Lane Markings in Cleveland and likely in the entire state. Like Bicycle Lanes, Shared Lane Markings are another tool for facilitating bicycle use on appropriate roadways.
Cleveland's first Sharrow implementation appears on Franklin Avenue (between W. 74th and W. 25th), which is already a well traveled bicycle route as well as a designated Bikeway on the City's Masterplan. The addition of the Shared Lane Marking further justifies and legitimizes bicycle use on this route.

Shared Lane Markings are gaining in popularity with City and State Planners and Engineers across the country. Although currently utilized on an experimental basis, the Federal Highway Administration has included the Shared Lane Marking in a draft of a proposed new edition of the MUTCD.

Bike Pittsburgh has developed a FAQ on the use of Sharrows and the differences compared to a Bicycle Lane and other means of facilitating bicycles on the road.

If you are interested in learning more about the safety benefits of Shared Lane Marking, download the comprehensive report (PDF) prepard by Alta Planning and Design for the City of San Francisco's Department of Parking and Traffic.  Alta Planning and Design recently completed the Cleveland EcoVillage's Bicycle and Walking Masterplan.