Mine biggest problem with those buffered bike lanes in NYC is that pedestrians use them, plus the idiotic habit people have to wait off the curb for the light! There were already crashes on that 2nd ave bike lane, including one guy from work: a pedestrian just stepped in in front of him in the middle of the block. I don't know the details, I only briefly spoke to him when passing by, but it wasn't bad, no one got hurt, just scared.

It happened to me many times: they'd look at me approaching and still step in front of me as if I wasn't there. I try not to slow down, I get close and blow my AirZound, I know it's mean and dangerous but I'm really irked by the stupidity of those people. And it's not just bikes, they'd step in front of trucks and buses and would act surprised when they hear a horn few feet away. I think I get more acknowledgment from drivers than pedestrians. The culture of jaywalking and the lack of pedestrian enforcement is really annoying in NYC. I bet in many other places too.

I've seen cars ticketed but pedestrian enforcement isn't going to happen. Also, the bike lanes end where there is a left turn and that part of the lane that is supposed to be used for turning invites drivers to stop, even double park. I also find it hard to go around those parked cars. Add a large population of salmons to the mix and I'm starting to have really mixed feelings about those lanes, I don't feel safe there.