“This is the city. Bike lanes belong in parks.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/nyregion/04bikes.html?partner=rssnyt&e...
The more I cycle in cities that have dedicated bike lanes the more less I like such lanes. There are exceptions - Dutch lanes are remarkable, the ones in Barcelona are as well - but what sticks out in my mind about these 2 examples is the fact that they are part of a cultural context that is in some ways exceptional.
Other experiences with lanes - London in particular - make me wonder if someone is not just trying to prove Darwin right. I am coming to the conclusion that there is no such thing as an ideal bike lane solution because they are not what brings about bike safety; rather they are a catalyst for safety (poorly phrased, but I have a bitch of a cold right now so I have more snot than style in my intellectual gestalt right now).
I will write a bit more about the Barcelona lanes later - does anyone have any experience with different designs for bike lanes?
the horse is dead!
don't get hurt at the velodrome. we might need to put you down on the track.
In my limited experience
I greatly prefer wide outside lanes to a regular lane with a striped bike lane. Reduced traffic speed even makes more a difference, whether or not you are in a bike lane--cars passing you at 35 (or even 25) are so much better than at 60mph (96kph).
the bike lanes in frankfurt
the bike lanes in frankfurt germany were awesome to ride in, but then they had dedicated stop lights and turn signals. it was a interesting experience on the whole .
I know some beginner riders
That will only ride on streets with bike lanes, for their own safety. False sense of security? Or stepping stone to the big leagues of free-for-all traffic dodging?