Do motorists like bike lanes?
Do motorists like to have a white line to separate cyclists? Does it make them feel more comfortable passing? Also, many cyclists pass a line of stopped traffic on the curbside. Does a bike lane make a motorist feel less anxious about this?
Is it motorists, or cyclists, who are most happy with bike lanes? |
I think they like, but as a cyclist I hate it! Near my house there is a bike lane on each side of the road (both unidirectional) with a nice think bright white line separating the road from the bikepath. The problem I find is that drivers see this line and do not bother to move over at all (I think that they have the mentality - I am on my side of the line, you are on yours). The only problem is there are often obstacles on "my" side of the line.
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Motorist love bike lanes......it gives them someplace to park!
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Motorists are nuts. They will drive in any space imaginble.. In busy cities I have seen them drive on sidewalks... We have really wide roads into our town now.. But can the motorists keep their cars on their side of the white line- especially on curves. They drive like they are drunk.
Defensive driving means a cyclist should always have on his possession a camera and a fire arm... |
Around here, motorists respect the lines for the most part. The big problem is that homeowners dump their yard waste into the bike lane for pickup. You have to dart into the motor lane to get around them and you never know if some idiot decided that the grass pile is a good place to throw a bottle.
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Originally posted by LittleBigMan Do motorists like to have a white line to separate cyclists? Does it make them feel more comfortable passing? Also, many cyclists pass a line of stopped traffic on the curbside |
I recently moved to a county north of Seattle that has bike lanes (bike freindly Seattle has a small handful of ones and none really good for commuting) and I have noticed less problems with drivers when I am in one . My Friday commute includes a 17 mile stetch along a busy highway and it has a lane I have never had any problems. This is the Irony, I ride in the same spot on roads in Seattle, yet I am in the way. I think having that white line does make a difference. The thing I wish would stop is having to drive through their litter and broken glass!!
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I suppose motorist tolerate bike lanes much the same way they tolerate anything for or about cyclists.
What gripes me is governments who take credit for support to recreation by simply painting "Bike Lane" on any road shoulder wide enough to accommodate the words. Carl |
Bicycle lanes generally benefit motorists more than cyclists, although I do appreciate having them (or wide curb lanes) on high-speed roads.
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I love the bike lanes. You can get away from the sidewalk bumps and go faster. In Bellevue, there aren't problems like you guys.
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Originally posted by jump I love the bike lanes. You can get away from the sidewalk bumps and go faster. In Bellevue, there aren't problems like you guys. So although bike lanes may be good for all involved, there are a lot of people who don't regard them as real lanes or use them to pass... yet another example of driver ignorance. Cyclists should definately not consider bike lanes as an impenetrable zone. The other thing drivers tend to do is cross over the bike lane into a right-turn lane without first looking to see if there's traffic in the bike lane... and usually without signalling. I encounter this at least twice a week. |
Originally posted by khuon By now, the light had turned green and she drove off leaving me so sour that I cut my ride short and went home to fume. |
So although bike lanes may be good for all involved, there are a lot of people who don't regard them as real lanes or use them to pass... yet another example of driver ignorance. Cyclists should definately not consider bike lanes as an impenetrable zone. The other thing drivers tend to do is cross over the bike lane into a right-turn lane without first looking to see if there's traffic in the bike lane... and usually without signalling. I encounter this at least twice a week. Once a guy pulled right in front of me, forcing me to lock up both wheels and pray I wouldn't go down. I was so angry that I chased him to his house. I pulled up as he was getting out of his car shouting, "If you're not on a bike, stay the f*** out of the bike lane!" Of course, I was so out of breath, I'm sure he didn't understand what I was saying. But I think he got the point. I don't take that route anymore and, upon reflection, I don't recommend dealing with drivers that way |
It seems to me that it somewhat depends on the bike lane. Some are just the right width to keep cars out but provide enought room for a bike, while others just tempt drivers to use them. (In that case, motorists love 'em :rolleyes: ). My impression is that a lot of drivers are less afraid of passing when you're in a bike lane, so that's good for me. I hate it when a car is riding my left rear quarter because they're afraid to pass; then when they do, they swerve fully into the oncoming lane. Makes me feel like they are terrified of bikes. If the little white line makes them get away from me faster, great. On my commute, motorists respect the bike lane 99% of the time, so I'm reasonably happy they're there.
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Originally posted by es_seattle On my commute, motorists respect the bike lane 99% of the time, so I'm reasonably happy they're there. |
Originally posted by caloso Once a guy pulled right in front of me, forcing me to lock up both wheels and pray I wouldn't go down. I was so angry that I chased him to his house. I pulled up as he was getting out of his car shouting, "If you're not on a bike, stay the f*** out of the bike lane!" Of course, I was so out of breath, I'm sure he didn't understand what I was saying. But I think he got the point. I don't take that route anymore and, upon reflection, I don't recommend dealing with drivers that way |
Well, thanks, Pete. Maybe one more driver now realizes that his/her actions affect others, including 19lb vehicles without steel cages and airbags.
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When i am driving my car, I can't help but notice how difficult it is for motorists to stay to the left of the white line seperating the bike lane.. They swerve over all the time.. I wonder what would have happened if I had been there.. Why is it so difficult? Particularily if a hill or curve is involved. Are they all drunk?
Every one of we cyclists need have a bumper sticker on our cars saying "Share the Road," with the outline of a bike. Never let them forget of our rights ! Where do we get these bumper stickers? See them ocassionally.. I tend to think it necessary to confront motorists, when they give us comments like, 'you have to stay off the road, it is too dangerous..' They will drive us off the road if we let them.. A cyclist friend who moved back to St. Louis, was involved in a accident where a motorists made a right turn in front of his bike, causing him to crash. All though, not really hurt- his bike or himself- he is taking the motorists to court, just on principal. I like that idea.. More of us need to retaliate.. It need be posted in the press... |
I *KNOW* that motorists like bike lanes. I mean, on today's commute, there were at least 4 vehicles parked in them. 2 Cars, and one BIG truck, and one Auto-Loader.
Where would cars park if it wern't for bike lanes? They should be extended! ah well...enough ranting. I prefer a aware cyclist on the road to bike lanes when driving a car, but your mileage may vary... cheers, tt |
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