Originally posted by Pete Clark
A bike lane should be treated by motorists the same as any other lane. You don't cut across another lane to turn, do you? No, you merge into the lane closest to your turn before executing it. I would say a driver should merge into the bike lane, only after yielding right-of-way to all traffic in that lane, before turning.
Unfortunately most bike lanes are simply not wide enough for drivers to merge into successfully. Remember that a bike isn't nearly as wide as a car. So while this is a great idea in theory, I don't think it's ever going to happen. However, cars are supposed to have these spanky things called mirrors. If drivers occasionally used them, the chances of a cyclist being hooked would rapidly decrease.
Originally posted by Pete Clark
From the cyclist's perspective, when approaching an intersection, it's helpful to move out of the bike lane and into the main flow of traffic. That way, its harder for drivers to pass you and hook you.
This is why I treat bike lanes the same as I do any other shoulder on the road. In practical terms, that's all they are.