New road signs are being seen around Fayette, including signs that are thrilling the cycling community. These Share the Road signs remind drivers of motor vehicles and cyclists alike that there is room for both.

With the advent of sunny weather, more and more cyclists hit the roads for recreation, fitness, and transportation. They are seen most frequently in south Fayette where traffic is lighter. Some drivers are unaware that bicycles are legally vehicles, and that cyclists are entitled to ride on the road and to ride two abreast, room permitting. This lack of understanding can create an adversarial condition.

Cyclists are also required to abide by the law and position themselves accordingly. Sometimes, for safety purposes, cyclists are advised to “take the lane,” which means to move toward the middle of the lane at stop signs or to move to the right third of the lane to avoid being run off the road when roads are particularly narrow, without rideable shoulders. Share the Road signs nationwide serve as reminders that help improve the safety of all.

Discussions about Share the Road signage began about one and one half years ago between Fayette Biking for Life, a local bicycling organization, and the Fayette County Public Works Department, who asked that roads most needing signage be identified. The Fayette County Bicycle User Group (BUG), consisting of bicycle advocates Steve Shackelford and Bonnie Bobbitt, proceeded to mount an email campaign, giving local cyclists the opportunity to voice their opinions.

The Fayette County BUG subsequently identified the key roads for signage, based on this input. They made specific recommendations for the placement of 166 signs based on safety concerns, such as before turns and hills, and for the co-placement of the bicycle warning signs and Share the Road plaques.

To minimize expense yet get the message across, the County Commission and Public Works Director Lee Hearn modified the request by placing signage on existing posts where possible and positioning some Share the Road plaques by themselves.

A total of 63 signs have been erected consisting of a mix of diamond shaped bicycle warning signs, Share the Road plaques, and Bike Xing signs The Bike Xing signs are placed to warn drivers at heavily traveled intersections, such as Georgia Highway 85 and Harp Road, that bicycles could be crossing. Signs have been placed on Antioch Road, Brooks-Woolsey Road, Ebenezer Church Road, Spear Road, Harp Road, Peachtree Parkway, Bernhard Road, Goza Road, Sandy Creek Road, and Old Greenville Road.

The response from the cycling community to the new signs has been tremendous, according to Fayette Biking for Life and the Fayette County BUG. They wish to give a hearty thank you to Lee Hearn, Fayette County Public Works Director, the Public Works Department, and Greg Dunn, Chairman of the Fayette County Commission as well as all of the Fayette County Commissioners.

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