Originally Posted by Helmet Head
Gene,
Have you read this thread? Mr. Forester is not taking this too far in his mind. Others are contending that a bike lane helps remind motorists to look for bicyclists.
I have read that, and I somewhat disagree. Bike lanes serve nothing more than as guides to motorists... who tend to try to "stay between the lines." Motorists will not "look for cyclists" in a BL any more than they would any other thing... Motorists in general are herd creatures that tend to simply follow the flock. Motorists are somewhat predictable in that manner... however individuals may act in unpredictable ways.
Motorists tend to only look out for themselves. They will not look out for anything else, unless they are somehow motivated to do so. BL at best guide motorists to keep off the curb. This does create a zone for cyclists... but it also pins cyclists against the far right. Both motorists and cyclists tend to abuse BL by not actually merging for right turns... both do this due to their lack of understanding of how BL are supposed to be used and a lack of understanding of the rights of cyclists to use the entire road. (most cyclists are unaware of this too... sadly). Cyclists too tend to only look out for themselves, but due to their more fragile nature**, this also involves keeping a watch on motorists.
**(not being protected by a thin metal shell)
Sadly both groups could do a far better job with just a bit of training and respect for other road users...
But that is not likely to happen any time soon.