Kind of reminds me of when I found out how school zones were delineated on the road in Oklahoma. A bunch of squiggly lines, and a bar.

Someone was able to later on, tell me what those meant.

Bicyclists must remember to obey the speed limit. Get those legs pumping!!!

the bikes are going to have lights,turn signals,mirrors,and must pass a written,and road test to obtain a permit, plus obey all the laws of the street. then I think its a good idea.

I think there should be a bigger focus on teaching bikers how to obey simple traffic laws. Stop signs, illegal turns, failure to yield... I see them all. This is why bikes cause problems, you cannot have rouge vehicles and expect things to move smoothly.

- Uncle Ed

There are bike lanes all over the Pacific Coast states and bicyclists must follow a list of traffic laws to be on the road. They need to do the same here if the bikes are going to be out there too.

Glad this was explained. I thought it was saying bikes not allowed on the roadway!

I almost ran over a biker a few week ago. I had the right of way, and the biker failed to obey the stop sign. When this kid realized, he could have been killed, he had a very dumb look on his face.
Bikers need to obey the laws for their own safety.

I used to ride my bike to work daily and obeyed all traffic laws, it was the drivers who where ignorant of my right to be on the road that where the problem. And I dont live in Highland Square nor do I want to.

I thought the signs meant: "Ride a bike here, get killed."

What happened to the good old fashioned side walks???

@Janelle - you mean the pavement specifically created and reserved for pedestrians? Are you suggesting that bikers ride there? That is illegal.

Wow. I'm so glad that we found extra money in the budget to paint pictures of bicycles on the streets. What a real waste of money. I can't wait for the new signs as well. Maybe after that we can get over-the-road flashing signs that remind us of other common sense things. "Use your turn signal", "red means stop", "Don't pass over a double yellow", "You must have a driver's license to operate a motor vehicle".

This is why y'all are an award winnin' traffic reporter Dyer. Y'all jes' bring us the best in local traffic reportin'. I sure hope y'alls next series will be about why we needed to spend millions on bike trails, jes' to have them abandoned and the tricyclists to return to our city streets.

I think they should have to purchase bike insurance!! Akron roads are NOT WIDE ENOUGH for a bike and a car!! This is stupid just like the "Village" at Akron U on Brown St. I drove past them.....they look like something out of the 70's!!! Just UGLY....Why didn't they make them look...well....like a nice village with character???!!!....

How about having police ticket the bike riding geeks who insist and riding side by side so they can talk and take up 8 feet of the street? Take your stupid little shorts and wussy helmets and ride in the park.

Bike lanes rarely get the actual attention they deserve, people including UPS FedEx and others like to park in them creating an issue for bikers. The term "Sharing" at least informs the general "driving" public that they aren't any more entitled then the "biking" public. Drivers abuse bike lanes all to often and the false sense of security for a biker usually ends up in a commuter getting hit by a door or someone pulling out of a parking spot. I frequently ride in the center of the lane when there is parking on the side of the road. I get a couple honks and haters each day but I know I'm right and they are wrong. I have every right to be riding my bike on the road. We all pay for these roads If I enjoy them slightly slower then they do so be it.

Signs might contain more textual information but are ignored all too often. The sharrows demand attention from the drivers.

This is an issue across the nation but seriously Ohio, catch up. Help end the Brain Drain and accept that maybe you aren't right, these people embracing counter car culture could be correct.

Have them get a license and insurance if they want to share the road.

Another $30,000.00 down the drain, $15,000 of which Marco could've used to shovel seniors' driveways.

Seriously Eric - like bike lanes are going to reverse the 'brain drain.' Instead, maybe spending money responsibly would.

I thought it meant that if you hit a biker on the spot of the paint it was an extra 50,000 points. guess I'll quit trying so hard to get my points.

I think eric is the only victim of "brain drain". Where does he get the idea that bikers somehow have more intellignece than others? Sounds more like Highland Square Neighborhood Association snobbery to me.

"Counter car culture" indeed. How phony and pretentious can one be?

This is a good idea. As a bike rider, who has lights on the front and back of my bike, and who uses hand signals, there are a tons of morons out there. Bike riders have the same rights as cars!!! Look it up! Car drivers are supposed to give us room and not try to clip us. Cars are to yield to bikes, as cars are to yield to pedestrians. Those of you saying that bikes cause more accidents, your wrong. Cars with careless drivers cause more accidents!!! Its harder to steer something with four wheels then two. It just makes more since..think about it. Drives just need to be aware of bikes on the road. I know there are some people out there that do not obey the rules but for those that do, just be respectful. I have a good photo memory, and it just might be you out there on a bike one day. So look out!

I think they should require a test and issue a license for bicycles on the city streets, just like a car or motorcycle. I wouldn't dare venture out on Market Street, or any of the other main thoroughfares on my bicycle. Too scary!! I would love to use my bike as transportation, but, aside from not wanting to see anybody when I'm all sweaty and how do you carry groceries back home, I don't want to get killed, either!!

Remember how the "blue line" for the RR marathon freaked people out? They were afraid to drive over it, and went left of center? I wonder what they are going to do with these markings?

The bottom line is that this is nothing more than hype and pandering to hillbillies disguised as hipsters. At any rate, after one winter in Akron with some salt and plowing, these symbols will be gone like the ones on Route 8.

I am glad to see people ride bikes. I do not ride a bike. The only issue I have is trying to drive safe around them. The bike has the right of way, with the slow speed of the bike this creats a traffic issue. But we have had trucks going slower than cars for years in this state.

Drive safe, we all my be riding bikes soon if the economy doesnt turn around.

It's a double benefit- you save gas and get some exercise too.

Helmets, turn signals, seat belts,, and traffic tickets,, let them have the same obligations as the normal drivers.

Mr. Davis, nice job with our money and what timing! In 30 days it's going to be winter and those little "bikey" signs are going to be plowed over. Hopefully you won't be taking up a whole lane in December! Are you the same guy who times the lights in this town as well?

Bicycles are vehicles and are subject to the same laws as cars with a couple of common sense exceptions: liability insurance isn't required because a bicycle isn't likely to cause as much damage as a car if it hits something; seat belts aren't required because they won't prevent injuries to bike riders in a collision. Adults shouldn't ride bicycles on sidewalks for the same reasons other vehicles aren't allowed there -- they aren't compatible with pedestrians.

Right on, Sean. More wonderful timing from government. I suspect the symbols will need redone in the spring. Typical engineer thinking - technically correct, but with an impractical element.

Well it really won't matter because it will snow and the ice will cover it!!..Thank goodness the "sharrows" haven't come 2 the "sunshine" state! We can't figure out how 2 use our touch screen voting machines, much less figure out a "sharrow".

MUST be a REPUBLICAN thang! So glad I don't live in Akron anymore!

I have no problem sharing the road with bikes. but they also need to know what sharing means as well. Riding 4 or 5 across and 7 or 8 deep is not compatible with automobiles on the road. When there is no way for an automobile to pass you (unless they cross a double yellow) and the bikes are being ridden at less than 10mph this can be dangerous to the bike riders, oncoming traffic (because people will get fed up and cross the double yellow) and the cars behind the bikers. so folks who can and do use their bikes, rock on good for you. But PLEASE PLEASE keep in mind it isn't only your saftey that should be on your mind. Those of us who can't ride a bike (and those who just choose not to) are trying to get places as well. Your attention to the fact that you are sharing the road with much larger, faster and more dangerous things also has to be in front of your mind, not just auto drivers.

"Signs might contain more textual information but are ignored all too often." sounds good, but obvious this picture confuses the intelligent people floating around town! I am still shocked by the people who don't understand the blue line..."what marathon." To be under the rock some people live under, wonder what it is like?

Most roadways in Akron are wide enough to be shared safely by bikes and cars. That's true of all the roads with the painted sharrows. Only on very narrow lanes is it possible that motorists might be delayed by cyclists. On these very narrow lanes the safest thing for the cyclist to do is to take the whole lane to prevent being forced to crash into the curb. It's then legal for the motorist to cross over into the opposite lane to get around the cyclist if that can be done safely. If the motorist can't pass safely by using the other lane, then motorist should show some courtesy and patience and wait until it's safe to pass the cyclist -- just the same as if the motorist was waiting to get around a tractor or any other slow-moving vehicle. The cyclist is in the right and all the honking, shouting, gesturing and raging isn't going to change the situation.

A couple of months ago Obama said we need to ride bicycles to help save on gas. Get ready for the CHANGE we are going to recieve.

Half of you are not so far fetched when it comes to having bikes obey traffic laws. In fact the City Planner should take a trip to Holland and see see how they have made roads safe for bikes,motorized wheel chairs and pedestrians walking. Those type of vehickles have their own highway system that run along all inner highways except for the autoban. Traffic lights and all. I am not saying tear up the streets of Akron all at once but only when new construction or repair construction is scheduled. Sure you would be spending tax money but also ceating jobs and creating new tax revenue. Just a thought. Or better yet make those mini roads for bikes,etc.. toll roads. lol at least untill they are paid. lol

Nice to think that Akron could copy Holland's bike route system, but when the good people whine about an insignificant amount of their tax money going toward paint for arrows I'll expect it to happen about the same time that Marco Sommerville shows up to shovel out my driveway. Cyclists and motorists need to learn to share properly the roads we already have.

you know..i rode my bike allsummmer and i would ve painted those signs for 20,000. Next time ask me!!!

So your biking in the center lane and another biker is coming toward you. What then?

Karen, I think the only time that's going to happen is if the center lane is actually a turn-only lane (like on W. Exchange)and both riders headed in opposite directions intend to turn left. If that's the case, they simply ride by one another.

If what you mean is that one rider in the center lane is where he doesn't belong and is illegally going the wrong way, then he's like a car going the wrong way on a one-way street. You get the heck out of the way and hope he gets a ticket.

no wilma it's the like playing darts you go for the bullseye or hit a double or a trip and if you are really good a (hat trick) that's where you get the points.
i think if you hit three (hat trick)bikes you get 150 points.
now the only problem is where do we turn in the points to get paid and if they can be used as rollover points or do you lose them at the end of the day.

WHEN THE SPANDEX ATTIRED BI-SICKLE-ISTS run a stop sign on me,I forget which pedal on the floorboard is the brake and which one is the accellerator pedal-ooops i missed the brake again-50 points for me!!! I guess if they forget the red sign that says STOP means STOP then....CRUNCH...

William, aren't you worried that your mom might read this and take away your driving privileges? Then you might have to walk to school or even ride your bike.

Why doesn't it surprise me? We wasted another $30,000 plus how much more when they put signs up? People wonder why Akron is going down hill fast! Are there really bike riders out there who are dumb enough to ride in traffic?

I'm glad I don't drive into downtown Akron, especially during rush hour!

Hey, bonehead Davis, Haven't you heard we are in a resession? Let me get this right, you're saving on gas money riding a bike but spending our hard earned money on stupid street logo's and nobody nos what they mean? Yeah, that sounds right!

We live in one of the highest paying tax states and every year our taxes go up or they find something else to tax us on and we have idiots like this spending our money! I'm personally sick of it!

YA, RIDE A BIKE WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET TO WORK.. TRUST ME THEY WILL CROSS THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINES TO PASS YOU, FLICK YOU OFF, CALL YOU EVERY NAME IN THE BOOK, AND PROBABLY CRASH INTO A CAR COMING THE OTHER WAY TAKING THEM OUT AND THE BIKE RIDER.

This sign should have been introduced like the other signs that adorn the side of the roads; ie..stop, traffic light ahead, etc. I can't imagine how much havic has been caused because motorist are looking at the sign on the street trying to figure out what it is.

PC insanity at taxpayer expense.

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When was the last time that a bike rider was ticketed for not having insurance,reflector lights,or night lights or not using hand sygnals? If a bike rider has dark clothing on at night, there;s a good chance to hit him. they do ride at night.They do have dark faces & clothing. riding in the center of the road is NUTS.

I have recently learned that the bicycle is the most efficient machine designed for transportation ever invented, almost all effort exerted by its operator produces output, not waste. Its fuel? Calories! How novel! I'm sick and tired of hearing about dependence on foreign oil, pollution, and America's problems with obesity every day of every year. People that have cars and choose to commute via bicycle deserve respect because they are making a choice to fight these problems with their lifestyles. Instead of issuing some kudos, Dyer and bloggers alike issue scolding and and sarcasm about a helpful safety feature. And I'm pretty surprised that a clear picture of a bicycle and a forward arrow left so many of Dyer's readers and colleagues puzzled... I mean. Come ON.

To those who complain about bicyclists not obeying traffic laws--yes, it's problem, and those people should be ticketed. But how many people in cars do you see obeying every traffic law? How many cars obey the speed limit, use turn signals every time, and come to a FULL STOP at a stop sign every time? We should require testing and licensing for car drivers...oh wait, we do! And the vast majority of bicyclists have a driver's license, too, so they should be aware of the laws already, as much as any driver. Those laws should be enforced equally for both drivers and cyclists. But what is the first thing any person says when they get any kind of traffic ticket--"Don't those cops have anything better to do? What about going after violent drug dealers?" Well, your chances of getting killed by a drug dealer are next to nothing compared to your chances of getting killed in an auto accident, so if you're suggesting that we should concentrate our resources where they'll do the most good, then we should have cops giving out MANY MORE traffic tickets!

To those who complain about bicyclists not obeying traffic laws--yes, it's problem, and those people should be ticketed. But how many people in cars do you see obeying every traffic law? How many cars obey the speed limit, use turn signals every time, and come to a FULL STOP at a stop sign every time? We should require testing and licensing for car drivers...oh wait, we do! And the vast majority of bicyclists have a driver's license, too, so they should be aware of the laws already, as much as any driver. Those laws should be enforced equally for both drivers and cyclists. But what is the first thing any person says when they get any kind of traffic ticket--"Don't those cops have anything better to do? What about going after violent drug dealers?" Well, your chances of getting killed by a drug dealer are next to nothing compared to your chances of getting killed in an auto accident, so if you're suggesting that we should concentrate our resources where they'll do the most good, then we should have cops giving out MANY MORE traffic tickets!