Bike lanes are inherently less safe than riding in the traffic lane, moving the cyclist to the periphery of the road and driver's sight lines, road debris tends to collect there and they give cyclists and drivers a false sense of security.

To use them safely actually requires more caution on the part of the cyclist than riding in the traffic lane.

Diane is right, they do facilitate passing clogged traffic, but extreme care must be used when passing on the right.

The only thing bike lanes really do is give cyclists a designated lane, moving them out of the way of cars.