LittleBigMan

Do motorists like to have a white line to separate cyclists? Does it make them feel more comfortable passing? Also, many cyclists pass a line of stopped traffic on the curbside. Does a bike lane make a motorist feel less anxious about this?

Is it motorists, or cyclists, who are most happy with bike lanes?

Spire

I think they like, but as a cyclist I hate it! Near my house there is a bike lane on each side of the road (both unidirectional) with a nice think bright white line separating the road from the bikepath. The problem I find is that drivers see this line and do not bother to move over at all (I think that they have the mentality - I am on my side of the line, you are on yours). The only problem is there are often obstacles on "my" side of the line.

1oldRoadie

Motorist love bike lanes......it gives them someplace to park!

cyclezealot

Motorists are nuts. They will drive in any space imaginble.. In busy cities I have seen them drive on sidewalks... We have really wide roads into our town now.. But can the motorists keep their cars on their side of the white line- especially on curves. They drive like they are drunk.
Defensive driving means a cyclist should always have on his possession a camera and a fire arm...

caloso

Around here, motorists respect the lines for the most part. The big problem is that homeowners dump their yard waste into the bike lane for pickup. You have to dart into the motor lane to get around them and you never know if some idiot decided that the grass pile is a good place to throw a bottle.

Chris L

I actually find I usually have to leave the bike lane to do this, so it really makes no difference.

ngateguy

I recently moved to a county north of Seattle that has bike lanes (bike freindly Seattle has a small handful of ones and none really good for commuting) and I have noticed less problems with drivers when I am in one . My Friday commute includes a 17 mile stetch along a busy highway and it has a lane I have never had any problems. This is the Irony, I ride in the same spot on roads in Seattle, yet I am in the way. I think having that white line does make a difference. The thing I wish would stop is having to drive through their litter and broken glass!!

webist

I suppose motorist tolerate bike lanes much the same way they tolerate anything for or about cyclists.

What gripes me is governments who take credit for support to recreation by simply painting "Bike Lane" on any road shoulder wide enough to accommodate the words.

Carl

John E

Bicycle lanes generally benefit motorists more than cyclists, although I do appreciate having them (or wide curb lanes) on high-speed roads.

jump

I love the bike lanes. You can get away from the sidewalk bumps and go faster. In Bellevue, there aren't problems like you guys.

khuon

This was probably an isolated incident but points out that problems can occur anywhere. I was out in Redmond (the self-proclaimed cycling city of the US) the other day... in a bike lane... and one of those BMW minivans they're trying to pass off as an SUV came alongside and swerved right into my lane... crossing the white line. I nearly got curbed but managed to brake in time to drop behind. The driver then proceeded to jerk the wheel back into the driving lane, overcorrected and swerved back into the bike lane. I caught up to the BMW at the stoplight and tapped on the passenger side window. The driver rolled it down looking annoyed. I asked her if she had seen me back there. She apologised and proceeded to tell me she was trying to get her kids in the backseat to stop fighting. I let out a sigh and asked her if their lives were in jeapordy because she certainly had put mine in it. Her response was, "well you shouldn't be out riding on the streets... it's too dangerous." I was infuriated and wanted to say something harsher but I didn't want to say it in front of her children so all I could muster was, "and it's because of people like you that it's dangerous." By now, the light had turned green and she drove off leaving me so sour that I cut my ride short and went home to fume.

So although bike lanes may be good for all involved, there are a lot of people who don't regard them as real lanes or use them to pass... yet another example of driver ignorance. Cyclists should definately not consider bike lanes as an impenetrable zone. The other thing drivers tend to do is cross over the bike lane into a right-turn lane without first looking to see if there's traffic in the bike lane... and usually without signalling. I encounter this at least twice a week.

ngateguy

Never let them get to you like that if you are out for a ride, ride. If they send you packing home to fume they have won a little battle.

caloso

I see this too. There's a street that I used to use on my way home from work. It's a long, straight two-lane street with a stoplight every mile or so. At 5:30, it moves very slowly in the car lane and we bike commuters sail by in the bikelane. Nearly every day, I'd see someone pulling into the bikelane to pass on the right.

Once a guy pulled right in front of me, forcing me to lock up both wheels and pray I wouldn't go down. I was so angry that I chased him to his house. I pulled up as he was getting out of his car shouting, "If you're not on a bike, stay the f*** out of the bike lane!"

Of course, I was so out of breath, I'm sure he didn't understand what I was saying. But I think he got the point.

I don't take that route anymore and, upon reflection, I don't recommend dealing with drivers that way

es_seattle

It seems to me that it somewhat depends on the bike lane. Some are just the right width to keep cars out but provide enought room for a bike, while others just tempt drivers to use them. (In that case, motorists love 'em ). My impression is that a lot of drivers are less afraid of passing when you're in a bike lane, so that's good for me. I hate it when a car is riding my left rear quarter because they're afraid to pass; then when they do, they swerve fully into the oncoming lane. Makes me feel like they are terrified of bikes. If the little white line makes them get away from me faster, great. On my commute, motorists respect the bike lane 99% of the time, so I'm reasonably happy they're there.

ngateguy

I find that to be true, except for a busy day at Green Lake Ravenna and Woodlawn what a nightmare when the cars start getting cranky

Pete Clark

I agree with you, Caloso, but I don't think you acted too far out of character given that your life was endangered. I would cut you some slack, if it were me!

caloso

Well, thanks, Pete. Maybe one more driver now realizes that his/her actions affect others, including 19lb vehicles without steel cages and airbags.

cyclezealot

When i am driving my car, I can't help but notice how difficult it is for motorists to stay to the left of the white line seperating the bike lane.. They swerve over all the time.. I wonder what would have happened if I had been there.. Why is it so difficult? Particularily if a hill or curve is involved. Are they all drunk?
Every one of we cyclists need have a bumper sticker on our cars saying "Share the Road," with the outline of a bike. Never let them forget of our rights ! Where do we get these bumper stickers? See them ocassionally..
I tend to think it necessary to confront motorists, when they give us comments like, 'you have to stay off the road, it is too dangerous..' They will drive us off the road if we let them..
A cyclist friend who moved back to St. Louis, was involved in a accident where a motorists made a right turn in front of his bike, causing him to crash. All though, not really hurt- his bike or himself- he is taking the motorists to court, just on principal.
I like that idea.. More of us need to retaliate.. It need be posted in the press...

Tom_The_Bikeman

I *KNOW* that motorists like bike lanes. I mean, on today's commute, there were at least 4 vehicles parked in them. 2 Cars, and one BIG truck, and one Auto-Loader.

Where would cars park if it wern't for bike lanes? They should be extended!

ah well...enough ranting. I prefer a aware cyclist on the road to bike lanes when driving a car, but your mileage may vary...

cheers,
tt