Originally Posted by grolby

I don't believe that this is true. Bike lanes and paths are NOT a conspiracy theory! Bike lanes are the result of honest, good intentions - those who advocate them wish to make a place for bicycles on the road and to promote more cycling (by other people, of course). The fact that they are misguided does not make them malevolent. I will agree that this is the result of the perception that motor vehicles are a superior class of transport, but the "purpose" you give makes sense ONLY if motorists see cyclists as a significant threat - they do not. At worst, cyclists are seen as an occasional inconvenience. Bike lanes are seen as way to concede a space on the road (a concession that does not need to be made, since bikes already HAVE that place) while handily limiting the inconvenience to motorists. Indeed, they are intended to make the areas where they are painted more bike friendly, not less.

I look at it this way - a poorly designed bike lane makes cycling more dangerous. A well-designed one does not make cycling more dangerous, but neither does it confer benefits. Chances are that we won't be able to convince city councils from striping bike lanes in the near future. I don't suggest that we stop arguing against bike lanes and for more effective means of improving the "bike-friendliness" of our cities and towns (WOLs, "Share the Road" signs, cyclist education, etc), but I would suggest more of a focus on well-designed bike facilities. "Cyclist education" is bolded because it's far more critical and effective than condemning bike lanes. The "no bike lane is a good bike lane" stance, is one that is almost impossible to sell to a non-cyclist, or even to many cyclists. It is much easier to sell the benefits of good design, and the difference in safety that it makes to both cyclists and motorists. Perhaps when a study is done of good and safe design, the city council (or whatever) will notice something - that striping safe bike lanes will confer little or no benefits to anyone. When they do, perhaps they will decide to save their money for something else.

Likely? Perhaps not, but I submit that it is FAR more likely to have the desired effect than the anti-bike lane "conspiracy" crusade. I, for one, am sick of the propaganda, and I believe that bike lanes are unnecessary! That should tell you something about how the folks who want lanes feel about it.