JustBiker
06-24-07, 06:45 PM
I'm a brand new rider and I have another question: What if there is a bike lane on only one side of the road going one direction? Should I use it for both directions?
Advocacy & Safety - Bike Lane on only one side of the road?
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joejack951
06-24-07, 07:12 PM
No, I would not recommend it. Contraflow cycling with any amount of turning traffic present is about as unsafe as it gets (ok, you could make it worse by doing it at night without lights).
maddyfish
06-24-07, 07:13 PM
Ignore it, ride on the road, that is your bike lane.
markf
06-24-07, 08:51 PM
Riding against the flow of traffic is dangerous, whether you're in a bike lane or in the roadway. If your state's laws don't require you to use the bike lane, don't. If your state's laws do require you to use the bike lane, find another road to ride on.
donnamb
06-24-07, 08:51 PM
Sometimes they put a bike lane on one side of the road only because that direction may have been shown to be particularly hazardous for cyclist/motorist interaction while the other direction is fine. We've got a couple of roads like this here. Are there any significant differences to the traffic flow in the direction that has the bike lane?
There aren't very many contraflow bike lanes in the US. I imagine if your bike lane was one, there would be a lot of signage to that effect.
There aren't very many contraflow bike lanes in the US. I imagine if your bike lane was one, there would be a lot of signage to that effect.
songfta
06-24-07, 09:42 PM
It depends on the road, really. On MacArthur Boulevard, just outside of Washigton, DC, there is a bike lane only on the west side of the road. It is a two-way bike lane, varying between a 10-foot-wide shoulder and a separate trail. The speed limit on the trail is 15 mph, so often folks heading north will ride in the car lane (it's relatively easy to maintain 20 mph on MacArthur). I've experienced times when folks get annoyed at bikes riding in the car lane when the bike lane is available, but many don't realize that there is a speed limit on the trail and that bikes are allowed on the road, regardless.
cc_rider
06-25-07, 07:00 AM
It depends on the road, really. On MacArthur Boulevard, just outside of Washigton, DC, there is a bike lane only on the west side of the road. It is a two-way bike lane, varying between a 10-foot-wide shoulder and a separate trail. The speed limit on the trail is 15 mph, so often folks heading north will ride in the car lane (it's relatively easy to maintain 20 mph on MacArthur). I've experienced times when folks get annoyed at bikes riding in the car lane when the bike lane is available, but many don't realize that there is a speed limit on the trail and that bikes are allowed on the road, regardless.
I was riding on MacArthur this past weekend. I was headed east towards DC, so I took the bike lane sometimes and the road other times. There was some conterflow traffic, which was disconcerting but the lane is wide enough to handle it in many places.
When I head west on MacArthur I stay with the road and avoid the bike lane.
I think that Maryland is one of the states that requires you to use a bike lane or bikeable shoulder if it is available and practicable. But if there is a trail or bike path with a planted separator I think you can ride either the trail or road.
I was riding on MacArthur this past weekend. I was headed east towards DC, so I took the bike lane sometimes and the road other times. There was some conterflow traffic, which was disconcerting but the lane is wide enough to handle it in many places.
When I head west on MacArthur I stay with the road and avoid the bike lane.
I think that Maryland is one of the states that requires you to use a bike lane or bikeable shoulder if it is available and practicable. But if there is a trail or bike path with a planted separator I think you can ride either the trail or road.