"Cyclists Have Use of Full Lane" signs vs. "Share the Road" signs

From Austin Bicycle Helmet Law

From the MBAC Listserv in Utah:

I've been talking to Dan Bergenthal about installing signs that read "Bicyclists allowed use of full lane" or similar. Below is an email from Thunderhead (Missouri Bicycle federation listserv) that supports the use of these signs. By installing STR (Share the Road) signs on streets where the right lane is narrow, then a bicyclist who appropriately "takes the lane" could be misconstrued as not sharing the road.

On narrow lanes, it is safest to ride in the middle or on the righthand third of the road, because then motorists are not tempted to pass you when there is not enough room to safely do so. It is also perfectly legal to take the lane, as was stated in earlier emails referencing the code. Unforunately, most motorist and also bicyclists are not aware of either of these things.

I'm also copying Andrea from County transportation - we need these "bicyclist allowed use of full lane" signs installed on 3900 South between state and 1000 East. Many bicyclists use this road to commute like I do every day, and our lives are in danger by the dangerous drivers who aren't courteous. The signs could educate them.

Another related tangent: I was riding down 800 South today with the Class II bike lane, and realized that may be where that guy was hit recently? I found myself in the middle of the lane on the steep downhill section, naturally, because if I was riding in the bike lane I would be less visible from all the cars parked there. Our friend Nikki Christiansen was hit riding in a bike lane on 200 South because she was not visible due to parked cars. Bicyclists need to be taking the lane in these situations. And the 5+ STR signs I saw on 800 South - they are not needed there because there is a Class II bike lane and the riding positions for car and bike are pretty well understood.

...Here's that email, finally:

Here's the justification our DOT uses to post Bicycles Allowed Use of Full Lane signs (which SF uses in lieu of 'Share the Road' signs).

...in general the MUTCD allows words and approved symbols to be used on signs. (As long as the appropriate color, sign shape, etc are used)

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/HTM/2003r1/part2/part2a.htm

Often times 'innovated' signs use un-approved symbols, thereby are technically non-compliant. Regarding the BAUFL:

The national trend seems to be moving towards a regulatory sign (black on white) over a warning sign (black on yellow) for the BAUFL signs. They are also proposing minor word changes too. If recommending the sign to other communities, it may be more prudent to recommend the sign that most likely will be officially adopted.

http://members.cox.net/ncutcdbtc/fall05/bike01-bmufl.pdf

Hope this information helps

Oliver Gajda San Francisco MTA Planning