Someone has stenciled several video game symbols in the N. Williams bike lane.

– See the rest of them below –

(Photos © J. Maus)

A cherished local tradition of adding character and personality to our bike lanes has taken a new twist. Someone has painted symbols from Nintendo’s Mario Kart video game in the bike lanes on N. Williams Ave.

The painted symbols begin south of N Tillamook Avenue with a set of speed-boosting arrows (see above) and the symbols continue to about N. Cook Ave. There are several bananas…

A mushroom (which a reader tells me is worth an extra life in the game allows you to store a speed boost)…

And a star (which gives you invincibility)…

While this sort of vandalism is obviously illegal, I don’t think anyone is looking to crack down on it. Reader Steve R. wrote us to share this sentiment about the symbols:

“I’m sure this is very illegal. As I pedal home from work, though, I find it engaging and humorous. Would motorists similarly decorate their lanes? I suspect not – this good-natured vandalism is a sign that bikers take pride in their bike lanes and the biking community we’ve created. Well, that is my impression anyway.”

Have you seen the symbols? What’s your impression? I find them to be great conversation starters with my fellow Williams commuters.











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