I was riding up 1st Avenue in the "protected" bike lane when I saw a taxi pull over into the parking lane and beyond. I knew enough that this was trouble but the guy behind me didn't seem to notice. Sure enough, the door swung open and blocked about 3/4 of the bike lane. The only reason he wasn't doored is because I had blocked his way a bit. The guy getting out of the cab, with his wife or girlfriend had the nerve to curse at us. We both stopped at that point and went back at him.

The reason I say "protected" is that the only one protected is the insurance of the driver. The configuration is, from left to right, sidewalk, curb, bike lane, parked cars, 4 or 5 traffic lanes. The problem is that the bike lane is hidden, marginalized and contained. Cars don't see us when taking a left, we are put where all the obstacles are, and we can't avoid them as there is not enough room. I know that the primary bike advocacy group, Transportation Alternatives, keeps arguing for more of these, but they must not ride in them. The first one was put in on 9th Avenue, and I tried it once and thought it was just a bad design but they just started using it everywhere. Cars taking a left just don't see you or even know it is possible that you're there. Delivery trucks use it to unload, pedestrians walk in them. NYC isn't Copenhagen.

My rides are usually just a series of close calls in these lanes, but they are still the most direct route so I continue using them.