Comments on: Problems with Bike Lanes Striped Solid to the Intersection http://www.cabobike.org/2009/11/08/problems-with-bike-lanes-striped-solid-to-the-intersection/ California Association of Bicycling Organizations Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:09:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: PlebisPower http://www.cabobike.org/2009/11/08/problems-with-bike-lanes-striped-solid-to-the-intersection/comment-page-1/#comment-333 PlebisPower Wed, 10 Nov 2010 04:34:36 +0000 http://www.cabobike.org/?p=159#comment-333 "... If the goal is to separate those bicyclists not wishing to use the roadway as drivers from other traffic at intersections, then re-define bike lanes as a non-roadway part of the highway, and establish special traffic laws and controls to deal with these de-facto (or in cases with mandatory use laws de jure) one way sidepaths, and allow those bicyclists who can act as drivers to use the roadway travel lanes as drivers." I think that this is the important take-away here. This tension is omnipresent when cyclists talk about bike lanes or, indeed, making streets safer for cycling. The community for which cyclists advocates advocate is not divided by age, skill, or of course gender, but by purpose. Those of us who view the bike on any given day as a means to a destination look for the direct route and on-street lanes. In this regard, I feel like a driver as I flow with the autos. Better if I have designated space so that both I and the driver suffer no ambiguity about where I should be. The post topic (how to resolve intersection conflicts) to me is subordinate to the larger issue of just putting a lane in. I agree with Willie - most drivers don't know what to do anyway. But for those who feel the bike is a means of recreation or leisure travel (and bike-centric cities in Northern Europe split the difference where in-city riding is concerned), then a distinct, protected off-street infrastructure is advisable. Whether I'm less skilled, or I'm a kid, or I'm just putting, I don't really want to have to be in a serious travel lane. IMO, this is where we need to rethink intersections here, adopting a model that threads protected bikeways throughout the intersection and not just slap lanes in. Great post that really foregrounds the issues! “… If the goal is to separate those bicyclists not wishing to use the roadway as drivers from other traffic at intersections, then re-define bike lanes as a non-roadway part of the highway, and establish special traffic laws and controls to deal with these de-facto (or in cases with mandatory use laws de jure) one way sidepaths, and allow those bicyclists who can act as drivers to use the roadway travel lanes as drivers.”

I think that this is the important take-away here. This tension is omnipresent when cyclists talk about bike lanes or, indeed, making streets safer for cycling. The community for which cyclists advocates advocate is not divided by age, skill, or of course gender, but by purpose. Those of us who view the bike on any given day as a means to a destination look for the direct route and on-street lanes. In this regard, I feel like a driver as I flow with the autos. Better if I have designated space so that both I and the driver suffer no ambiguity about where I should be. The post topic (how to resolve intersection conflicts) to me is subordinate to the larger issue of just putting a lane in. I agree with Willie – most drivers don’t know what to do anyway.
But for those who feel the bike is a means of recreation or leisure travel (and bike-centric cities in Northern Europe split the difference where in-city riding is concerned), then a distinct, protected off-street infrastructure is advisable. Whether I’m less skilled, or I’m a kid, or I’m just putting, I don’t really want to have to be in a serious travel lane. IMO, this is where we need to rethink intersections here, adopting a model that threads protected bikeways throughout the intersection and not just slap lanes in.
Great post that really foregrounds the issues!

]]> By: Willie Hunt http://www.cabobike.org/2009/11/08/problems-with-bike-lanes-striped-solid-to-the-intersection/comment-page-1/#comment-258 Willie Hunt Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:14:52 +0000 http://www.cabobike.org/?p=159#comment-258 Yes, this is a problem with road striping, but I've also noted that in the past 2 years and about 9000 miles of commuting cycling, that less than 5% of CA auto drivers actually move their cars in the striped or solid line bike lane before turning right. I really do not think that a solid or stripe really makes any difference. It's the drivers not understanding CVC that they must move into the bike lane before the right turn; that is the real problem. An auto driver's turn signal once in a while would also be nice! :) Yes, this is a problem with road striping, but I’ve also noted that in the past 2 years and about 9000 miles of commuting cycling, that less than 5% of CA auto drivers actually move their cars in the striped or solid line bike lane before turning right. I really do not think that a solid or stripe really makes any difference. It’s the drivers not understanding CVC that they must move into the bike lane before the right turn; that is the real problem. An auto driver’s turn signal once in a while would also be nice! :)

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