Bike dots, green bike lanes and sharrows are appearing on city streets in growing numbers. The Seattle Department of Transportation is adding improvements to ensure its transportation infrastructure meets the needs of Seattle’s growing cycling community, according to a news release from the department.

The new elements will be found in neighborhoods citywide (see attached sheet) and build on other upgrades already well underway, such as adding bike lanes and multi-user trail segments. These improvements stem from the Bicycle Master Plan and its ten-year goal of tripling the number of people cycling in Seattle.

“Guided by the Bicycle Master Plan, we are making extensive improvements to support bicycling in Seattle,” said Grace Crunican, director of the Seattle Department of Transportation. “Simple roadway elements like bike dots, green bike lanes and sharrows will help transform attitudes about bikes’ rightful place on city streets.”

Sharrows are designed to remind motorists to share the lane with bikes, while also guiding bicyclists to the best place to ride. Green bike lanes highlight where bicycles and cars cross paths, and warn motorists to yield. Bike dots and accompanying route signs guide riders to destinations like shopping areas, parks and transit centers.

The dots show where to turn on the route, while the signs tell you where the route is going and how far it is to the destination.

In 2009, the city will add 35 lane-miles of bike lanes/sharrows, 20 miles of signed bike routes, two to three trail segments and 300 bike racks.

To learn more about the work to enhance bicycling, please visit the city's Web site.