City of Decorah to paint sharrow markings on streets used by bike riders

The City of Decorah will paint sharrows on six or seven streets this summer--markings that tell motorists that the road they are on is also used by bike riders.

The markings will be placed on Fifth Avenue, College Drive, Water Street, Main Street, Second Street and South Avenue--and perhaps on Mill Street.

The markings are part of an effort to make the city more "bike friendly."  They will help encourage bike riders to use the traffic lanes of the streets--although city officials also point out the bike riders need to obey all traffic laws, including stopping for stop signs.

City Street committee chair Gary Rustad says the city is taking "baby steps" this year, but wants to educate the public about the sharrow marking system so it can be used more widely in years to come.