[SDCBC] Reasonable max speeds in a bike lane?

[Serge Issakov]

WAS: Re: [SDCBC] 60mph in the Bike Lane?

On 8/16/07, Frank  Paiano <wondernerd at juno.com> wrote:
> My understanding is that the bike lanes were designed to handle top speeds of 25 mph.

Are you sure?  A 2' wide cyclist must have his tire track 1' to the
right of a bike lane stripe to be fully within a bike lane.  In a
standard 4' wide bike lane, that means his right side is about 2' from
the curb/edge/parking lane to his right.

I wouldn't feel safe riding a motorcycle at 25 mph 2' from the edge of
the road.  Generally, I consider about 15 mph to be the max
safe/reasonable speed in a bike lane.  There are exceptions where wide
(5') bike lanes run along long stretches of intersectionless roadway
(e.g., Kearney Villa Rd, or any freeway shoulder), but they're pretty
rare in urban/suburban San Diego.

I cringe whenever I see guys bombing down from the Del Mar bluffs on
northbound El Camino Real towards Via de la Valle at 30-40+ mph in the
bike lane.  What a great way to be overlooked and hit from someone
turning on or off El Camino Real.  Not that being in the traffic lane
guarantees conspicuity (ask any motorcyclist - it doesn't), but it
does make you more conspicuous and gives you more evasion options
earlier.

Serge