[SDCBC] Well it looks like I am not the only one...

[Serge Issakov]

On Jan 9, 2008 11:04 AM, Thomas Reynolds <thomas.treynolds at gmail.com> wrote:

> Out in my neighborhood, Spring Valley, a 1.2 mile section of bike lane
> on busy Jamacha Blvd has been taken away by K-rails placed over it,
> forcing cyclists out into traffic.


This statement implies that the bike lane kept cyclists out of traffic.

We may disagree on the pros and cons of bike lanes, but please don't make
the mistake of thinking that a bike lane is a facility that keeps you out of
traffic.

Whether a street has a bike lane or not, a wide lane or a narrow lane, the
bicyclist is part of traffic, and needs to think and behave accordingly.
Any extent to which a bicyclist thinks a bike lane keeps him out of traffic
is detrimental to his safety.  This is particularly important whenever
approaching any intersection or junction with a place that traffic can move
in or out of.  But same-direction motorists inadvertently drift into bike
lanes and bicyclists in them that they have not noticed as well, so I stay
alert in between junctions too.

In order to improve my sight lines and conspicuity, during gaps in
same-direction traffic I've developed the habit to merge out of the bike
lane until the next platoon approaches, preferably not returning to the bike
lane until I've been able to verify that I've been noticed.  This technique
requires the use of a rear view mirror to establish and maintain rearward
situational awareness.  Not only does this improve my sight lines and
conspicuity, but it makes it more likely that I'm already properly
positioned as I approach and enter each intersection.

Anyway, next time you're riding in a bike lane, try to keep yourself from
assuming you're not out in traffic.  Don't be deceived by a 6 inch wide
stripe of paint!  To be sure, you're in traffic.

Serge

---
NOTE: Any opinions expressed above are mine and not necessarily shared by
any organization in which I am involve
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.bikesandiego.org/pipermail/sdcbc/attachments/20080109/644e51bf/attachment.html