Cut off in the bike lane

[Jetfire]

My city only put in bike lanes a few years ago, but they didn't do it intelligently. They put them on streets without widening the streets nor taking out the street-parking; they basically just shrunk the lanes by a couple of feet and put up some signs.

On top of that, whenever the road reaches an intersection, the bikelane ENDS a car length or so before the intersection (so cars can turn I guess), and restarts on the other side of it. I guess they thought bikes have teleporters that let them 'jump' across intersections?

The street my apartment is on has a bike lane... and street side parking on one side, which is basically right on top of said bike lane. And the road is already too narrow to have parking on it in the first place. (If there's oncoming traffic and a car parked, the bus usually stops and lets traffic clear before going through). Ugh.

[Mikkel]

On top of that, whenever the road reaches an intersection, the bikelane ENDS a car length or so before the intersection (so cars can turn I guess), and restarts on the other side of it. I guess they thought bikes have teleporters that let them 'jump' across intersections?

Here in Copenhagen the bike lanes are continued in blue paint across the larger roads, as shown on this Google streetview.

[crazylegs]

Pop quiz for all you cyclists (and drivers out there).

How much room does the average driver give the average cyclist?

I'll give the answer in a day or so ladies and gents - the reasons will suprise ya'll greatly!

[Jetfire]

By law, a motorist should be giving bikes as much room as they would give a car.

In practice, well... can you give negative room?

[Magpie]

How much room does the average driver give the average cyclist?

Actually, the average driver does give enough space. However, if we average the amount of space drivers give the answer is "not enough". (Just because it's only 1/10 who doesn't change lanes doesn't mean we notice the 90%).

[crazylegs]

The average driver gives as much room to you as you do to the kerb - which is why advanced cyclists are taught to cycle a bit further away from the edge of the road.

[Magpie]

The average driver gives as much room to you as you do to the kerb - which is why advanced cyclists are taught to cycle a bit further away from the edge of the road.

Out of curiosity how are they defining "average"? Do you know? Because there's a lot of drivers who actually give enough room, not just a metre.

[Flying Grype]

For what it's worth, in Toronto it's illegal to bike on the sidewalk unless your wheels are under 24". That's to make sure that kids can ride on the sidewalk but grownups can't. Folding bike fans like myself ride 16" or 20" so that we can take to the sidewalk if it's safer than the road. It's rare that I do it, though. I'm pretty sure that's a municipal law.

[Magpie]

I'm pretty sure that's a municipal law.

Yep, it is. HTA has nothing to say about it, just bans biking on crosswalks (bikes of all sizes). I miss the Toronto version - it's more likely to get obeyed, because it's less strict. Here, there's just no biking on sidewalks allowed. I'm not sure if this is because of the "trick" bikes with tiny wheels (which is what the people who ride on sidewalks specifically to harass pedestrians are more likely to be riding, note that that only goes one way), or if it's just that they didn't stop to consider kids.

[Marszenka]

I wish bikers could ride on sidewalks; I hate them in the bike lanes/in the street.

Not that I think they all deserve to die or anything, but it's terrifying every time I have to drive past. I never feel like I'm giving them enough space! If the road is clear I end up drifting over the middle line until I'm safely past, and even then it doesn't feel like enough. Bikers are so small and fragile-looking viewed from inside tons of metal and glass. D: And it's even worse when they're going in a group and two are riding parallel to each other so one is like two inches away from the line dividing the bike lane and the street. It's so scary! D: *burrows under covers*

How much room is enough? I need to know so I can stop freaking out every time I have to pass cyclists.

[Magpie]

If you stay in your lane, and we stay in ours, it's perfectly safe. Unless they're doing something stupid, and then give them just as much room as you'd give a motorist doing something stupid. Remember, if you didn't have to deal with us when you were driving, you'd have to deal with us every time you were walking. And we'd be cranky and on edge from riding on bad surfaces (not made for traffic speed) and having to dodge cars.

Here, the new legislation is spelling out safe passing: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bil...t=&BillID=2364 (subsection 3)

[EricKei]

Quite a few roads in my city have no bike lanes. I tend to stay off them, but some I cant avoid.

We have very few defined bike lanes here -- sadly, unless they are actually *physically* separated from the road by a low rock wall or something like that, they just get used as parking lanes.

Just because you aren't aware it's illegal to drive while texting with one hand, discharging a firearm out the window with the other, while snorting blow of the thigh of the dead hooker in your backseat doesn't make it okay; You'll get a ticket and have to pay a fine. (Disclaimer: while that's technically against the law in my area, your area may be different, consult your local ordinances)

Well, snorting blow off of dead hookers' legs is just fine here, but the rest of it...? They'll throw the book at ya!

[BlaqueKatt]

How much room is enough? I need to know so I can stop freaking out every time I have to pass cyclists.

Most laws are "give the cyclist 3 feet of space when passing"-I tend to ride in the lane where your passenger side tire would go-as do most good cyclists, mainly so we don't get clipped-and three feet is fine from a safety standpoint. Personally I'm ok if you give me at least 12-18 inches of space, but I've been commuting by bike for years-even in 18 inches of unplowed snow-I don't get ruffled easily, some cyclists do though, and a car hanging out behind them nervously waiting to pass does spook some cyclists.

And yes we may look fragile and tiny but honestly I'm much more aware of my surroundings on my bike than you probably are in your vehicle. I have no blind spots to speak of, if I don't see a car there isn't one, and I can hear any approaching vehicles(cars are designed to block outside noise) and usually I can judge speed/distance from just the sound, and react accordingly(move over to let the vehicle pass unhindered-if possible). Do not be afraid, treat them the same as you would any other vehicle, be it car, truck, or motorcycle.

[wolfie]

This goes both ways. A few weeks ago, I signalled to pull from the travel lane to the curb (parking) lane, and after I started to move over a cyclist whipped around the corner and passed me on the right. I guess my vehicle (18 wheeler) was a bit too small for him to see, or he was trying (unsuccessfully - I saw and avoided him) to commit suicide.