Originally Posted by
Allister
I guess I'd better explain it in small words for you then.
For the most part, lane position is not governed by transient conditions. Most of the time, it's lane width - the static condition of the road. If there's enough room to share, hold a line just outside the car traffic lane (whether it's marked or not), otherwise, hold a line somewhere inside it. All those transient conditions you mention can possibly result in a need to adjust it, but not all that often, and when you do, do so gradually and predictably.
I understand what you mean Allister, and how it is consistent with how most cyclists think and ride. That's the problem.
In particular, holding a sharable position (just outside the car traffic lane - what I call "the margin") is problematic whenever the current transient conditions do not include the presence of faster traffic at that time. That's probably our primary area of difference. I have learned it to be problematic by adopting John Franklin's "primary riding position" as my default, and experience in a marked reduction in undesirable situations with motorists.
Now, while being passed by a stream of traffic? Yes, sure, of course, by all means, maintain,
for the most part, a static position in the margin. No argument there. But bike lanes
reinforce the notion that where cyclists belong on the road is largely a static proposition independent of current conditions, even when the current conditions do not include any faster same direction traffic.
Originally Posted by
Allister
But you seem to think that 'most cyclists' feel they aren't permitted to leave it.
What did I write that caused you to think that?
Originally Posted by
Allister
If it reinforces anything, it's the idea that you pick your line, and hold it, unless it's necessary to change lanes. Just like you do in a car, if you're riding/driving vehicularly. Or do you change lanes on a whim in your car as well?
Your absurd notion that it marginalises cycling to an inferior position makes no more sense than saying a right turn only lane marginalises right turners.
Again, will you please try to focus on our actual conversation? I never said anything about leaving a line of travel "on a whim", or anything like that.
I never said anything about bike lanes marginalizing cycling to an inferior position.
I will say that bike lanes
encourage cyclists to use an inferior position when the space they demarcate happens to coincide with inferior positioning given the current conditions.
Originally Posted by
Allister
For the same reason that any other lane marking exists. It's your myopia that can't accept that a bike lane functions like any other marked lane
Bike lanes are not like any other marked lanes.
Other marked lanes do not direct through traffic to travel in roadway space that is normally used only by right turning traffic.
EDIT/correction:
Other marked lanes do not direct through traffic to travel in roadway space that is to the right of right turning traffic.