Originally Posted by Serge *******
My assertion that the BL situation is dangerous is not based on data, nor is it an assumption.
It's a logical conclusion based on reason, and premises that you've already accepted:
- Motorists (like you, apparently) assume that cyclists are more predictable because of a painted stripe.
- Because motorists assume cyclists in bike lanes are more predictable because of the painted stripe, they are more likely to pass with a smaller safety margin (not slow down, not adjust their position to be further left) than they would if there was no stripe.
- Because cyclists are just as likely to swerve to avoid an obstacle, and the presence of the obstacle is no less likely to be there because of the stripe (arguably more likely), regardless of the presence of the stripe, cyclists are actually no more predictable in bike lanes than when in the same position in a WOL.
- Because motorists are likely to pass a cyclist in a BL with a smaller safety margin than a cyclist in a WOL, and because there is no basis to justify a smaller safety margin (it's just as dangerous), the BL situation is more dangerous than the WOL situation.
There you have it, a logical argument that concludes the BL situation is more dangerous based on premises you've already accepted, and reason.
I question your logic based on other radical theories you have posted, such as your DCLLB or what ever it was.
I also question your logic based on your dichromatic views.
I further question your logic based on the fact that you have agreed that some BL have utility and yet you wish to elminate all BL past, present, and future, without knowing what the future can bring.
I question your logic based on the premises you present: point 1. Any vehicle, as demonstrated, by the lack of lane lines in the example presented by noisebeam, will track a more predictable track when lane lines are present. Point 3... cyclist will swerve whether in a BL or not.... swerving in a WOL can be just as dangerous as in a BL. And point 4, there is no safety margin in a WOL... none what so ever... it is up to the motorist to determine any safety margin, thus a safety margin can and will be highly variable as determined by the mood, conditions, and traffic that said motorist encounters.