Originally Posted by noisebeam
There should be national level standards and driven by bike lane proponents, not by cycling advocates. Proponents of BL should present and agree upon clear, nationally agreed upon standard for bike lane stripes before continuing to push for more bike lanes that only meet standards that today allow for door zones.
Another problem is that on street parking may be added after a BL is put in place. This very situation has happened a few times, the curb and sidewalk were moved further out and parallel lots were added in front of apartment building along roads with BLs. Bike lane advocates are not involved (and can they reaonably be expected to) in these 'on the surface' minor alterations that occur between properly owner and city. But if guidelines were in place the city may be more likely to not allow these situations to happen.
Al
Interesting idea... First, most bicycling advocates in places where cycling advocacy is effective are supportive of bike lanes and are constantly trying to make bike lanes, as well as other, more forward looking cycling accomodations, more effective. Second, bike lanes, like all other road markings, evolve over time. They are quite good in places now. What else do you want?
As far your language goes, there is no such thing as a "bike lane advocate." It would imply that there were, in existence, a single interest group to diametrically oppose the Vehicular Cycling Advocates. There is not. There are only "VC advocates" and "Bicycling advocates." That most bicycling advocates advocate for bike lanes is simply that the "VC message" has not shown to be practical to those cyclists who are not in the 5% crowd who are "fearless cyclists." Most cyclists have been shown to enjoy bicycle accomodations in places where the accomodation is to help the cyclist, such as in Portland, OR.
As for the bike lanes in door zones... There are many reasons those might come about, outdated standards, political points, convenience, etc. I urge you all, if you have a "door zone bike lane," you should take it up with your cycling advocacy group to get them to either 1) restripe the street, moving the bike lane further out, 2) get ride of on street parking, or 3) remove the bike lane, perhaps placing sharrows instead. I would suggest you advocate in that order as well.