Sharrows, Safety, and Freedom of Choice in Stillwater

We were surprised to see the amount of pushback against what is ultimately a positive safety feature. So let’s talk about why sharrows matter and why we should celebrate freedom of choice in how people move around our community.

Bike sharrows — those simple markings showing where cyclists may ride are more than paint. They’re designed to make streets safer by reminding drivers to share the road and guiding cyclists to the safest, most predictable part of the lane. Cities across the country have found that sharrows help reduce sidewalk riding, wrong-way cycling, and unsafe passing. They don’t solve everything, but they do increase awareness and reduce conflicts, especially on streets where building new bike lanes just isn’t possible.

Being bike-friendly is also good for Stillwater. When people feel comfortable biking, they’re more likely to shop locally, reduce traffic congestion, enjoy our riverfront, and engage in healthier, more active lifestyles. It’s about giving residents and visitors more options, not taking anything away. That’s real freedom of choice.

At the same time, safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers need to be attentive and patient, and cyclists must follow the rules of the road, using proper signaling, riding in the correct direction, and obeying traffic controls. We want EVERYONE to be safe, no matter how they choose to get around.

What’s unfortunate is how a simple safety improvement has become another example of online polarization. Some of the outrage swirling around sharrows feels more like hype than reality. Fueled by algorithms, negativity loops, and in some cases even bots amplifying conflict. That noise doesn’t reflect the thoughtful, welcoming community we actually live in.

By supporting bike- friendly infrastructure measures we make our streets safer, calmer, and more enjoyable for everyone.