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Ironically, one of the people pushing for this change just lost a relative in a cycling accident. That's just one of the many reasons why supporters are pushing for the new Sharrows program, which is basically just paint on the asphalt that simply states, "Share the Roadway." The new standard approved by the Federal Highway Administration is called Sharrows, or Shared Lane Markings. Supporter of the effort, Ed Tonini, explains, "They're simply a way of making motorists and cyclists aware that bicycles belong there, that they have the right-of-way in that lane." He says a trip to Denver motivated him to push for the program in Louisville. But after losing his brother-in-law Chips Cronen to a bicycle accident on the Second Street Bridge July 3rd, Tonini says it's even more apparent that a change has to be made. He's determined to, "Use his tragic death as a way of making life better for cyclists and motorists alike, long into the future."

The first place drivers could see the shared lanes markings is on the Clark Memorial Bridge, but even with support from state and local government, the decision to make the bridge part of the Sharrows program is ultimately up to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet -- it controls changes made to the bridge." Mayor Jerry Abramson says, "Our problem has been that the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the State of Indiana's Department of Transportation both have to agree."

Fellow cyclist and bike courier Jackie Green is also pushing for safer streets: "I find Louisville to be bicycle-survivable for the most part, it's not bicycle-friendly yet." Green gave up driving and took up riding nearly ten years ago. Green says he has a close call at least once a day while on his bike.

Sharrows will not affect the law, but supporters hope it will change the midset that motorists are the only people on the road. As Tonini says, "I think you'll end up seeing them around the city and that's an even more compelling reason to educate the public as to what they mean." The Kentucky and Indiana Transportation Departments are scheduled to meet next week about the Sharrows program.