Why some cyclists don't like bike lanes

[urbpan]

This video came to me by way of the Boston Critical Mass email list. One of the ongoing controversies among people who bicycle for transportation is whether bike lanes are a good thing or a bad thing. Casual or non- cyclists might be surprised to learn that some cyclists don't like bike lanes. This video illustrates some of the problems with them:

http://www.transalt.org/e-bulletin/2005/Dec/6thavebikelane.html

Comments

[brush-rat.livejournal.com]

I don't know, I'm not seeing it. I see people ignoring it and I see cars cutting into it to turn, but I don't see anything that looks like it's made worse by the bike lane. It looks safer than not having one in a busy urban center. That said, I almost never ride my bike, because I don't want to compete with the insane traffic out here. It's like Death Race 2000. Almost all our suburban roads have 45 mph speed limits and most of the cars on the road are SUVs and Hummers.

[gigglingwizard.livejournal.com]

I think the difference is that without a bike lane, (at least in downtown traffic) you're out in the middle of a regular traffic lane claiming your share of the road rather than being confined to a little strip that everyone else is going to ignore anyway.

In your place with the 45 mph speed limits, it sounds like bike lanes would be a good idea.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I've learned that the safest place to be is in the middle of the (regular traffic) lane, far enough out so that if someone wants to pass me they have to move into the left (or "passing") lane.

I've come to see bike lanes as nice suggested areas to ride, but they are usually so full of double parked vehicles and turning vehicles that I spend half my time out in the regular traffic lane anyway.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

That was awesome. I was totally expecting the guy with the camera to get doored at the end of the video! Also - I love how nobody looks at the cyclist!

[rwblackbird.livejournal.com]

So was I.
waiting for the crash with the door.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I love that the camera guy shouts at the end, as the minivan comes over and pinches him in.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

oh! i didn't have the sound on - i was hoping the cam would show that guys face tho.

Going to look again....

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

Awww, I was hoping for some cursing - all he said was "glarbrbgh, awww, c'mon!"