The Highway 14 Road Diet in Knoxville is nearing completion. The roadway itself is finished, as the conversion from four lanes to three lanes is complete. A buffer zone is present on each side of the roadway, separated by a solid white line. Knoxville Police Chief Aaron Fuller explains the purpose of these zones.

“The white fog line on the side of the road, north and south has them. It’s not a sidewalk, it’s not a bike lane. It is essentially a buffer lane to allow for life. If your car breaks down, of course a car is not going to fit in there, but at least they can get over, get out of the road, people can go around them if they do so safely. Don’t walk in there, don’t run in there.”

Fuller adds that while it isn’t illegal to ride a bicycle in that zone, only experienced riders should do so.