I didn't even know my city had a bike lane going down one particular Ave. After I found out, I started using it and I have now officially abandoned it. We have VERY few commuters, so the lane see's minimal bike traffic... but I'm actually wondering how many others are avoiding the bike lane too. The avenue where the bike lane is, goes both directions (2 lanes each) and is in the restaurant/bar district. Everytime I ride down at anytime in the afternoon, the lane is literally blocked every 30ft or so by Valet Booths/Stands and "Drink Specials" signs. Also because of the Valets, I have to literally dodge from being "doored" every couple of feet from people pulling up and just getting out of their cars, not to mention valeters and other people pulling in and out of parking along the street. Last week, a woman on a cell phone raged at me after I had to go into the car lane a bit to get around a valet booth. The entire street is not really designed for a bike lane, so the overall width is that of every other street in downtown... meaning the rightmost car lane is narrower than the left lane (so whats the point of having a bike lane?).

I know I can probably contact the city and get the valeters to pull back, but is it really worth it? I much prefer just riding on the normal 5 lane wide one-way streets. Do other people avoid bike lanes in their city?

Hh <3 U

You will get alot of discussion, much of it repetitive, on this topic, KrautFed.

We have folks who endorse and use bike lanes, those who adamantly oppose all bike lanes on principle, and many of us in the middle, who believe that both good and bad bike lanes exist.

Observation #1: In California, valet booths would never be allowed in a Class II bike lane, and the only obstructionary signs permitted are those set up by traffic engineering, to warn of road construction and other hazards. (Great irony, yes?)

Observation #2: For the many bike lanes which occupy door zones, the only safe strategy is to stay well to the left (traffic) side of the lane, or even to claim the rightmost travel lane, as you evidently do. (I generally prefer the right tire track, whereas others routinely take the center; both techniques seem to work.)

Observation #3: On busy prime arterials, even those of us who ride in the bike lanes tend to move leftward when approaching intersections, to avoid the infamous and dangerous right-hook and arguably to reduce the odds of an even more dangerous left-hook.

My bottom line is that I would probably treat your obstructed bike lane the same way you do.

I avoid them too for the most part. Many times they are not implemented correctly or there is zero enforcement of their intended purpose, as you have seen. That being said, that is not a reason to oppose bike lanes altogether, as some do, which I equate to opposing sidewalks or roads as a whole because some are badly constructed or maintained.

I avoid them in many cases unless the normal car lane is very wide. I find that using the bike lane encourages cars to try and "squeeze by" at a high speed. All it takes is one minor bobble by me or the car to have a collision.

Another issue is the general public thinks that is the only place you can ride a bike once a lane or path is put in. That us cyclists and N_C can no longer ride on roads/streets without lanes or paths.

Another issue is the general public thinks that is the only place you can ride a bike once a lane or path is put in. That us cyclists and N_C can no longer ride on roads/streets without lanes or paths.

:roflmao: :roflmao: