Bike lane on the left side of the street.

[Mos6502]

Here's an interesting thing I noticed. Here in Savannah there is a bike lane - located on the left side of a one way street. I haven't seen this anywhere else before, so I don't know if it's common, but to me it seems completely alien. However, it also seems like a ridiculouslygood idea compared to having the lane on the right side.
For one, it practically eliminates the possibility of a right hook - because (duh) the lane and cyclists are on the left side of the street. But then what about left hooks? I feel it also has got to reduce the danger here - because it's much easier for a driver who is seated on the left side of a car to see a cyclist on his left than it is to see one on his right. I don't know if there are statistics to back this up, but it makes sense in my mind.
Anybody else think this is a good way to do bike lanes (in one way streets)?

[bmclaughlin807]

There are a lot of lanes like that in New York City.

[Bekologist]

we've got them here in Seattle. on DIVIDED boulevards with medians, it makes even MORE sense.

[Dahon.Steve]

Here's what wrong with the bike lane on the left side.

1. Left Hooks --- Same problem as before.
2. Mirrors useless --- Most people have their mirrors mounted on the left side including eye glass mirrors. They are now useless and you are MORE vulnerable to left hooks because you can't see the traffic coming from behind.
3. Parked cars --- Same problem as before.
4. Traffic passes faster ---- Since the driver can see you better, they tend to drive faster to pass you.

[Scot_Gore]

All the one way streets outside of the downtown cores (we have two) that have bike lanes are on the left side in my region. The downtown cores have much more variabilty, left side, right side, and even contra flow.

[CaptainCool]

The problem with the ones in Minneapolis is that they imply that you need to cross three lanes of traffic as often as every few blocks. Also, I have my reflector set up on the left side of my rear wheel and I'm used to looking over my left shoulder. And the advantage of left hooks vs right hooks is probably negated by the fact that drivers aren't used to watching out for bikes on the left.

Fortunately, the law lets you ride on either side of a one-way road, and there's no bike lane law here. I cross if I'm going to be on the road for a while, otherwise I take it like normal. I still don't get 4th St SE though.

[SonataInFSharp]

Also, in Minneapolis, often where there is a bus lane, the bike lane goes in the same direction as the bus lane, which is AGAINST traffic. So, you end up with buses on your right and then cars coming at you on your left! (At least that is how I remember it; I haven't ridden towntown in a few months.)

I believe that ALL of the one-way streets without bus lanes have the bike lane on the left except for one exception with a two-way bike lane, which starts and stops in the middle of no where.

[Mos6502]

Here's what wrong with the bike lane on the left side....
4. Traffic passes faster ---- Since the driver can see you better, they tend to drive faster to pass you.

That seems to conflict with the idea that you'll have the same problem with left hooks as you would with right hooks, if drivers can see you better... I don't think this last point makes very much sense, at least not as a con.

[caloso]

We have those in Midtown Sacramento. Actually, they restriped a number of streets from 3 motor lanes-0 bike lanes to 2 motor lanes-2 bike lanes. It took me a while to get used to having a car overtake me on my right, but all in all, it's not bad.