I don’t have a knee-jerk reaction against bike lanes, paths, and other infrastructure that separates bicycles and cars (notice I did not use the preposition from).
Well-designed infrastructure is one of the ingredients in creating a thriving bicycle culture. We really don’t have a bicycle culture worth crowing about in the U.S. But the folks in the Netherlands do (re: Amsterdamize and David Hembrow). To make over-generalized claims against bicycle infrastructure is, in a very real sense, to claim the Dutch are wrong about what encourages people to ride bicycles as basic transportation.
The law argues that bicycles and cars are equal. Physics argues they are not. Both are right.
I don’t believe the desire for bicycle infrastructure should spring from feelings of inferiority. Instead, I want to see the U.S. spend billions of dollars to accommodate cyclists and make driving more difficult because cycling is superior.
That said, I am happy to take my place in traffic. When no appropriate infrastructure exists, we are safer in traffic following the same rules as drivers.
Inappropriate infrastructure is a real problem. In my survey of the bicycle lanes in Springfield I noted this sorry state of affairs on Boonville north of the square. As I wrote: If you want to die on a bicycle in Springfield, this is the place to accomplish it. Riding in this lane is a stupid thing to do. And, seeing as how I think I’m a fairly smart guy, I avoid it by riding where I belong: in the road.
But now think about who else reads this line of paint: drivers. If they know nothing about cycling (I’ll take that bet EVERY time), then they are likely to suppose that a cyclist on this stretch of road belongs in this lane. That’s entirely reasonable given what they know and what the official lane markings tell them
Less than an hour ago, coming north on this very stretch of road, I was yelled at by a driver in an adolescent-blue pick-up who just knew that I belonged in the lane and not in the road. He rolled down his window and yelled: “There’s the bike lane.”
I raised my hand in a WTF gesture (not the bird) and then immediately regretted it. This guy didn’t know any better. The markings on the road told him that he had his bit, and I had mine. I was encroaching on his bit according to the plain markings on the road.
Inappropriate lanes are a danger in more ways than one: they can encourage cyclists to make dangerous choices, and they teach drivers that those dangerous choices are normal and safe.
I haven’t been yelled at since June. Man, I was hoping to make it the rest of the year without a confrontation. I don’t blame that guy. I blame the planners and engineers who allowed that dangerous lane to be painted. I feel like yelling at them. But I’ll keep writing instead.
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Amen on your statement about inappropriate lanes. I am disappointed with some of the bike infrastructure here. New bike lanes went in last week on a stretch of road I ride. They are lined with cars each day and when I asked, I was told they would not prohibit parking in them. Instead they are hoping the drivers will decide they shouldn’t park there. Like that will ever happen. I wish the people making the decisions were more experienced at cycling and understood the dangers.
Posted 04 Nov 2008 at 1:40 pm ¶Unfortunately, this is the state of almost every bike lane around the SF Bay Area as well. Either you’re doomed to run into somebody’s door flying open unexpectedly, or you’re stuck riding with traffic that doesn’t want you there; a fact drivers apparently relish pointing out to bikers via honking and yelling out windows.
It’s a bummer, and the only way we as cyclists can attack this sad state of affairs is through bicycle advocacy and more cold, hard facts showing our bicycle lanes are inadequate and actually are putting cyclists in very real danger.
Having been hit somewhat seriously once, and not as seriously again, I can say that I’d prefer asshole drivers honking and scaring the shit out of me, over getting nailed by any size vehicle, any day. But I wish it didn’t have to be that way.
Posted 04 Nov 2008 at 3:04 pm ¶When I get to thinking how rude some drivers treat me it’s depressing. I have never treated anyone this way. My parents did a good job teaching us respect for one another…just because! I’m sure we would have been whipped if we had ever been yelling out our window at anyone! You just didn’t act that way and I pray that I’ve been able to teach both my kids the same.
Posted 04 Nov 2008 at 3:31 pm ¶Andrew,
Take the lane and ride strong. Last evening, I was yelled at for being in the center of a very narrow lane on a service road. The funny thing is that I could not even decipher what the lady barked out! I was laughing my head off when she was driving away.
I do come across some situations when I have to control the lane even in the presence of a bike lane. There is a right turn that intersects a bike lane that I use on my way to the Humane Society. I move over to the center of the lane, pass the intersection and then move back to my lane. I have not been yelled at but I am sure to have pissed some people off. I will only ride as far to the right as is safe and possible.
Posted 04 Nov 2008 at 4:15 pm ¶Hey everyone… Thanks for adding your thoughts to this post. I think there’s some support here for getting rid of the killer sections of lane and painting sharrows. A lot of things have to happen first, not the least of which is figuring out how to pay for it in tax-averse SW Missouri.
Posted 04 Nov 2008 at 5:13 pm ¶I embrace all of the painted bike lanes, and I can deal with the car doors opening into them the 3 times a year it happens. When the bike lane abruptly ends I act as if the lane is painted all the way to my doorstep. My commute doesn’t have any bike lanes but it does utilize portions of the “Share the Road” route which is a complete joke. And sharrows would be the punch line to that joke. I would rather have a line separating me FROM cars so I don’t have to rely on drivers using their judgement as to when it’s safe for them to pass. A solid line also (and I say this with disdain) would provide a better legal defense in case I was hit. Drivers hardly pay attention to the green “Share the Road” signs. Why would they pay any better attention to intermittently painted graffiti on the street? How much would it cost the city to paint a bike lane for all 54 (?) miles of bike routes inside the city limits. Let’s say it’s $200K. Is that a lot? Give me the paint and a roller and I’ll do it for free.
Posted 04 Nov 2008 at 8:40 pm ¶Jamie… There are many situations in which I prefer to be separated from cars, e.g. 4-lane roads with 45+ mph limit and squared curbs. I’m working for the day we can have a bicycle culture and bicycle infrastructure something like the Netherlands. That’s a long way off. Until then, I try to follow the advice at BicycleSafe.com.
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 7:25 am ¶Bike lanes next to parking are everywhere in Portland and Vancouver. I keep a vigilant eye open for people in cars, so I can avoid the “unexpected” opening. For the most part people do look. Maybe this is do to the numbers of cyclist in this area or I am lucky.
We are far from bicycling utopia in this country, but I am just happy there is more discussion about infrastructure taking place at the governmental level and in the media.
Whether it is smart or stupid planning, at least it is a start.
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 12:31 pm ¶Bob… Yes, things are moving in the right direction whenever we can get the powers that be to take cycling infrastructure seriously.
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 12:46 pm ¶There is a general lack of information on this. Honestly I can’t say I know what the rules are for bikes.
My best encounter with a biking culture was living in Providence and everything is so screwed up there it’s a total free for all on the road.
I think the key there is that no one feels entitled (drivers, walkers or bikers), they just want to get by like everyone else.
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 2:03 pm ¶Happy… Check out the resources links. I’ve tried to gather a wide range of information. Generally, if you’re in the road on your bicycle you must follow the same rules as cars.
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 2:06 pm ¶