About the Share the Road Sign

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The signs are easily recognizable big yellow diamond-shaped signs with a bicycle, a car, and the words "Share the Road." The concept behind the sign is equally simple bicyclists and motorists need to look out for each other as they share the roads throughout the Delaware Valley. Bicyclists are vehicle operators by law, entitled to operate in the roadway. Both groups have the same rights and responsibilities to obey traffic controls, to give each other room to operate safely, to yield to one another, and in general to operate with care, courtesy and respect. The signs are meant as a reminder to do the right thing to encourage smart and safe interaction between two very different groups of road-users.

History of sign postings:

In 1991, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) was passed, along with a number of other directives, to promote multi-modal transportation choices. In response, state agencies made greater investments in transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, as well as educational programs that support the use of these facilities. In 1995, PennDOT instituted a pilot program for Share the Road sign installation. The Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley played a significant role in advocating this program. The sign program was well received and by 1998 was a permanent PennDOT program. More than 1,400 signs have been posted throughout Philadelphia County and hundreds more can be seen throughout Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware counties.

Criteria for Sign Posting: Signs are usually posted on roads that have at least one of the following criteria:

• Significant usage by local cyclists
• Documented car-bike accident history
• Narrow sections without paved shoulders
• Wide segments that allow high speeds and/or dangerous passing
• Road sections interrupted by numerous driveways
• Roads that are being promoted as a cycling route by a local or state agency.

Requests for Installation

The public may suggest locations for other Share the Road signs based upon the criteria above. Requests for signs in Philadelphia County should be directed to Tom Branigan of the Philadelphia Streets Department; signs in surrounding counties (Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware) should be directed to Matt Bochanski of PennDOT District 6.