Originally Posted by jyossarian
Nope. There was a video of the 6th Ave. bike lane posted somewhere on BF showing all the double parked cars, trucks and cabs in it as well as clueless peds, left hookers, and taxis swerving into the lane to for pick ups and drop offs. The lane was basically useless for riding.
Gee - this sounds completely unlike anywhere else on the street
The biggest problem in the bike lanes for me has been delivery people ON BIKES going the wrong way up or down avenues. Some of the lanes are big enough that even if a car/truck double parks there's still a buffer. But I actually have almost gotten into more accidents with other bikers who don't care than cars/cabs/trucks. I've taken someone else's advice on BF (forgot where) but now I just stop and let them figure out what to do (making sure no one's in back of me). I don't want to be the one who has to swerve into traffic - let them take the hit.
Cars don't usually use that as a lane, though they don't pay attention when making a turn.
Totally agree with ticketing the hell out of trucks/cars double parked.
Bottom line is that you have to be just as vigilant in the bike lane than outside of one. You have less to worry about in terms of a car riding your ass but you still have to watch and be aware of what's going on.