[SDCBC] ignoring a detour & bike lane closed signs

[JonIsaacs at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/9/07 5:04:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
gcarman at san.rr.com writes:

> Sure, if you equate bike lanes with safety.  If on the other hand, 
> bike lanes are solely for the reason of defining road space simply to 
> enhance the smooth flow of traffic, then the argument for bike lanes 
> does make sense, based on the action of every other lane 
> line...  which I don't believe exist for safety reasons, but simply 
> for the orderly flow of traffic.

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IMHO, the argument that "bike lanes are there to enhance the smooth flow of 
traffic" does not make sense because they do not enhance the smooth flow of 
traffic.    Rather, bicycle lanes result in a "cat and mouse" game that is played 
at every intersection between bicycles and other vehicles.   

Genesee Drive, discussed in another current thread, is a perfect example of 
the disruptive influences of bicycle lanes.  At each of the intersections, 
bicyclist are forced to cross in front of speeding vehicles turning right only to 
cross over into the curb lane again after the intersection.  This dance is far 
from a smooth flow.  

Or perhaps not far away, the infamous I-5 / Gilman Drive Interchange is a 
great example of bicycle lanes that not only disrupt the smooth flow of traffic 
but actually are placed so as to increase the risk to cyclists.

I do believe there is a place for bicycle lanes.  I like having my own space 
when riding up the hill on Genesee southbound to Governor in stop and go 
traffic. But over the years of following this group, I have slowly come to 
understand that many/most of the problems I face when cycling in traffic are the 
result of those bicycle lanes and their confusing and disruptive effect.   

Jon






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