Originally Posted by CommuterRun
Splitting lanes is dangerous. Passing slower, or stopped, motor vehicles on the right, such as in a bike lane, WOL, or paved shoulder is also dangerous. Bike lanes do nothing to mitigate this danger.
This doesn't mean no one should ever do these things. Just proceed with caution.
Excuse me... but it seems that a simple physical examination of the situation is in order.
Splitting lanes between non moving vehicles means rideing between two lanes of vehicles, EITHER of which can move into the split area, and either of which can open a door where the cyclists is trying to ride.
Riding in a BL means that only one lane of cars (to your left) can either move or open doors... unless you ride in a BL along parked cars, in which case you face the EXACT same issues as splitting a lane between two groups of moving cars.
So a BL can be safer if it is along a curb... thus removing 1/2 of the potential problems.