Originally Posted by Serge *******
OK, so motorists don't like it when you slow them down. First, how do you know that? And how significant/important is it that they don't like it? And how do you know that?
My riding causes motorists to slow down all the time. So what? What's the big deal? Do they like it? I don't know. I know I only do it when it's necessary for my safety, so I don't really care too much about whether they like it or not. I'm not going to sacrifice my safety because someone might not like being slowed down.
All I have is my experience. Some guy came at me (ie. exited his vehicle) wielding screwdrivers because I would not move over at a stop light that was red in my direction but green arrow in his. My reasons for taking the lane were pure VC, too dangerous to line up right or left in lane, I was going straight. To me that is just the tip of the iceberg of motorist impatience and rage, not just an isolated incident. I have plenty of other verbal interactions that point to the impatience. I believe it's real. BL are just one attempt to address that issue. I think good BL design and yes, even mandatory BL laws, will go toward more organization of motorist vs cyclist interaction the road, and thus reduce road rage incidents like the ones I've experienced; even if it means I give up a little piece of personal freedom. I'll make that trade any day.