Well, I rode on the 9th Avenue protected bike lane today and here's my opinion. It's nice in a way because riding on 9th avenue is like riding on the expressway! The cars just step on the gas and hit 40-45 mph easily because the street is broad. However, the speed drops dramatically once the bike lane approaches and takes two entire lanes of traffic!

As for the lane, leave the Lance Amrstrong road bike and bring your fat tire beach cruiser because you will be traveling at 7 mph! There were waaaaaay too many red lights and it seems like you couldn't go 100 yards without reaching some sort of red light. Loads of walkers with dogs and cyclists going the wrong way in the bike lane made you wonder if this is how it's supposed to be. I like the fact the lane reduced the speed on 9th avenue but you really can't go fast at all. I do want to see the lane expanded but I also want the option of riding with regular traffic and no bike lane.