Cyclists, cars learning to sharrow

WAUSAU — Most of the snow has melted along area roads making room for bicyclists who are emerging from winter hibernation and getting back on the streets as local drivers adjust to sharing thoroughfares with more and more cyclists.

"My main concern is I don't want to hit somebody," said Gary Klofstad, a Wausau resident. "And somebody's going to get hit. It's just a matter of when."

Klofstad worries about the sharrows added to Grand Avenue last fall. The arrow-shaped signs indicate that the lane is wider to accommodate bikes and have been painted on Bridge Street, North Sixth Street and Merrill Avenue.

The markings are intended to remind motorists that they share the road with cyclists, and cyclists that they are expected to obey traffic laws.

"The roads are getting safer," said Aaron Ruff, a cyclist and public health educator for the Marathon County Health Department. "There's a lot of projects that have happened in the last 10 years."

The Wausau Metropolitan Planning Organization Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-Committee formed in 2006 and now is working on a master plan to be issued later this spring. The county wants to attract more young professionals, Ruff said, and studies show young professionals want alternative forms of transportation.

Ruff said there's been a surge of cycling — from mountain to fat-tire biking — in recent years.

"Right now we're really going through this growth period," Ruff said.

Most seem to agree with Ruff, even Klofstad, who said drivers need to adjust their mindsets as change unfolds. He's been frustrated to see cars backed up behind cyclists on the road and tries to avoid right lanes to avoid cyclists.

"I guess the city is going through some growing pains, as bikes expand in the community," said Wausau Police Lt. Nathan Pekarske. "There's a learning curve involved for motorist and cyclists alike."

According to state law, bicycles are considered vehicles and must follow traffic laws, he said. There are a few exceptions, as cyclists can ride on the sidewalk along Grand Avenue and on any of the bridges in the city, Pekarske said. Children can ride on the sidewalks as well.

Klofstad is not the only resident concerned about space on the road for both cyclists and cars or trucks. The topic arose at a Daily Herald Media listening session in February, and several people from the area around Grand Avenue said they worried about sharing that road.

"The biggest challenge with Grand Avenue is that it's not the same width all the time," Klofstad said. He said his tires cross the sharrows. Pekarske said sharrows are located on roads with two lanes in each direction that allow drivers to get around cyclists safely.

John Nowaczyk, an avid cyclist and manager of the Trek Bicycle Store in Wausau, said there is more space on Grand Avenue than people perceive. He worries more about side streets where cyclists and drivers alike are lulled into complacency.

"I think people get a little too casual on the side roads," Nowaczyk said. "Grand Avenue is not the hot spot, the side streets are."

He recommends that cyclists make themselves visible and that they avoid riding while using headphones.

"Don't feel entitled. Stop for stop signs. Be safe. Be seen," Nowaczyk said. "Remember: Don't fear the car. Be aware of the car."

As for drivers, he asks that they remember cyclists have a right to share the road and keep their eye on their surroundings, rather than on their phones or other distractions.

It's easy to remember the bad experiences with cyclists or drivers, Ruff said, but he tries not to focus on that.

"There's a lot of drivers who are incredibly courteous to me," he said. "We all just want to look out for each other and be safe."

Nora G. Hertel can be reached at 715-845-0665. Find her on Twitter as @nghertel.

Sharing the road

Cyclists

Bike on the right side, as close to the curb as possible, about three feet from it.

Use hand signals to indicate when turning.

Wear a helmet and reflective clothing and lights.

Follow stop signs and other traffic indicators.

Drivers

Give cyclists three feet of space when passing.

Avoid distracted driving, and look for cyclists.

Yield to a cyclist before making a turn.

Note: This has been edited to indicate that cyclists should ride on the right side of the road.