Categories: EtiquetteLa Vie VelominatusTechniqueThe Rides

Urban Riding: The Sanctity of the Bike Lane

Stay on your toes: you’re in the bike lane now.

There was a time when the world was painted in hues of black and white. Right and Wrong were separated by lines painted in such a thick, heavy paint that even to wander close was to already alter your very nature. The Elders taught us on which side we were to dwell and what evils would descend upon us if we were to transcend into the void. Little was known of what dwelt on the other side; the mind imagines the most horrific beasts in the unknown.

As Cyclists, we dwell in the space between black and white; everything we know is confined within the shades of gray that exist between two absolutes. Nowhere is this more true than when we subject ourselves to the roads to ply our craft at the mercy of motor vehicles, pedestrians, and the department of transportation’s ability to place potholes and manhole covers in the most inopportune locations. A moment’s inattention and our fortunes could shift dramatically.

The bike lane is shrouded in an air of false security. The white line painted a few meters from the edge of the road offers little by way of providing a barrier or any other kind of physical protection. Nevertheless, we wrap ourselves in a blanket of wishful thinking and pedal merrily along our way. The biggest problem with the bike lane is the total disregard that people, traffic, and road crews have for how few options we have outside of our narrow strip of tarmac in the event that the way is blocked, often unaware of the dangers their behaviors impose upon us. These are normally not intended as threats; it is simply a lack of exposure and appreciation of the risks we as Cyclists endure. In the spirit of Rule #3, I will outline some of the greatest risks.

The bike lane is not a turning lane. In many cases – at least in Seattle – the bike lane will be sandwiched between traffic on the left and a parking lane on the right. Traffic will use our humble strip as a turning lane, or use it as a runway for their futile efforts to parallel park.
The bike lane is not a parking lane. If there is no dedicated parking lane, the bike path serves double duty for this purpose in the eyes of the driver. I have had the unpleasant experience of entering a suddenly stopped car through its rear windshield; it is an experience I prefer to limit to a single occasion.
The bicycle lane that was crossed in order to park your car may occasionally contain a person riding a bicycle. Please look behind you prior to opening your door.
Bike lanes are not construction tool collection areas. Cones, shovels, gravel, loitering workers have all sent me diverted into traffic. What’s so attractive about using the bike lane for this purpose? Surely the grassy bit between the sidewalk and the street is equally suitable.
Please repair the tarmac with the same care given to the car lanes. I understand that water mains, power lines, and sewers might need to be accessed by way removing the tarmac in the bike lane. But that lumpy patchwork with the long seam along the edge that runs parallel to the direction of travel is lethal.

Too many Cyclists are being killed doing what they love. We all understand what we risk and accept those rather than not ride our bikes, but I think I speak for all of us when I say I’d rather live to ride again tomorrow. We all have to come together with our fellow motorists to understand how best to work together. But most of all: be careful and diligent, my fellow Cyclists.

Vive la Vie Velominatus.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Nate says:

Jun 17 2014 at 12:56 pm

@Teocalli

@frank

@Fausto Crapiz

Hate being obvious, but will the rider in the photo get both hands on the bars and put the frigging phone away?

Hey, someone's gotta risk life and limb for the sake of making a point. And don't worry, I was economizing my activities by also taking a few selfies while I was at it.

Is this the start of a "who can make their helmet look the biggest in a selfie" competition?
Cogfather says:

Jun 17 2014 at 3:06 pm

Having been a hood ornament with a taco'd front wheel to show for it, as well as crashed by a foolish non-cyclist riding on the wrong side of my local bike trail, I can say, unequivocally: the only truly safe road is one that's closed, generally for a race. Bike lanes, bike trails, whatever, if there are other people, on bikes or in cars, danger lurks...constantly
Dr C says:

Jun 17 2014 at 3:07 pm

We like to make it just a little more tricky in Belfast
Dr C says:

Jun 17 2014 at 3:09 pm

but this is my favourite, just across the road from my surgery - I just ride on the road where it is safer
Soxfan04 says:

Jun 17 2014 at 3:38 pm

This a nice little snapshot of bike lane blockage in Washington D.C.

http://whosblockinglsttoday.tumblr.com/

I like the cop cars in the lane the best...
Simon says:

Jun 17 2014 at 3:42 pm

First point to the individual that thinks riding in London isn't dangerous. I appreciate there are plenty of bad bicycle users out there. I add those to the list of numerous hazards I should be wary of every second of the circa 2 hours I spend commuting in and out of our great city every day. There should be greater education and stiffer penalties for those caught riding badly. However the ineptitude by motorists or the simple lack of the value of life by motorists can ultimately result in a life changing event for a cyclist, or pedestrian for that matter. How on earth do you begin to justify:

Passing a cyclist at way beyond the legal limit just inches from me.

Passing at high speed just to then make a turn right in front of me.

Pulling in to my path, whether I'm in a cycle lane or not, because the car in front of you is making a right turn. Indicating optional (obviously!)

Speeding past me to the traffic at standstill in front only then to close the gap so you know I can't pass you.

Driving, at speed, with your bumper just inches from my side or my rear wheel because your life is soooo important and you MUST get passed.

Rant over.
Triathlete says:

Jun 17 2014 at 4:09 pm

@Soxfan04 When the police are stopped in the lane it's possible they're doing something urgent where parking is not the absolute priority , like '' shall we detain the violent offender , no not until we found a bay to park in , oh while we were doing that he got away ''
frank says:

Jun 17 2014 at 4:32 pm

@Ron

One interesting development to note: the entire state of Delaware has replaced "Share the Road" signs with "Cyclists My Take Full Lane." They've conducted studies that the "Share" signs tell drivers, "Right, you fucking douche in Lycra, outta my way."

Interesting! I have share the road plates and Velominati stickers on my car; I always feel extra foolish after I disrespect a Cyclist in my gas guzzler.

Will be interesting to see how many states follow. I've always tried to share with drivers. But yep, this doesn't seem to work that well. Lately I've been taking the lane more and more, or taking up enough when in the country that drivers MUST cross the center double yellow (why don't more drivers understand what a double yellow means?!) and it seems to have been working. I've been buzzed a lot less.

I take the lane a lot; any time I feel uncertain about the shoulder, the path, or whether a driver will have the insight to judge when it is safe to pass me, I take the lane.
frank says:

Jun 17 2014 at 4:38 pm

@Triathlete

In Bath there are a few metres of bike lane on one of the busiest stretches of road , the bit used by lorries passing through , once in the bike lane the biggest problem is you have to soon re enter the main part of the road either by coming to a complete stop and waiting for a gap or attempting to keep up with traffic flow and slide out amongst the cars lorries etc , after a while you realise they are best avoided altogether.

This boulevard in town has the bike lanes in the middle, along the nice grassy bit. You have to cross the lane of traffic on your way in and out. I appreciate them trying to make it nice and pretty but fuck me if that doesn't cause a load of problems of its own!

@Ccos

@Fausto Crapiz

Hate being obvious, but will the rider in the photo get both hands on the bars and put the frigging phone away?

Fausto: since you are a junior (reportedly) several points: 1. I suspect that the photo has been taken by Frahnk and was done quickly and without a web search for the nearest douche. 2. The photo shows the classic hand position when riding one handed for greatest stability, such as when drinking from your bidon (assuming one does not need to touch the brakes abruptly) 3. if one does need to brake abruptly, the phone's getting ejected tout suite because you should always assume the philosophy of "fuck everyone and everything" of staying upright in an emergency and 4. Rule #43.

Why thank you, good sir.

@sinikl

The worst "salmoning" event that ever happened to me was a drunk, possibly homeless, guy with a REAR blinky light (red) on the FRONT of his bike heading towards me. At first glance I thought I was closing on him super fast because I was actually fast (not true), followed by a sh*tshow of swerving.

The fact that he was on a semi legit Trek full-sus MTB and drinking a King Cobra 40 made more sense when I realized our local bike coop is drowning in parts from "i'll ride this year! oh hell, donate that thing" people from the burbs.

Quite enough to make anyone shit, I believe.
frank says:

Jun 17 2014 at 4:44 pm

@Souleur

This article makes me really admire those who live in urban areas, it really takes a different commitment to ride when so populus dense. Chapeau for you all

Conversely, living in a rural town of 12k, there are no bike lanes. I have had to educate/enlighten the mayor and council on what bike lanes even are, and still we have none these years later, as they see it a waste of time...I mean who even rides a bike when you can drive a car...right??? So much for city admin and planning

But, I'll take it, the trade off from population density, to just a few drunks in ford pickemups, once in a blue moon. The roads are shit, but there is no traffic either, so all in all, a fair trade

I think in Utopia/Merckx in the sky, there is the marriage of both no traffic and all bike lanes, er...open roads

So..........Velomitopia is in Southwestern Wisconsin?

@Nate

I asked for that, didn't I?

@Cogfather

Having been a hood ornament with a taco'd front wheel to show for it, as well as crashed by a foolish non-cyclist riding on the wrong side of my local bike trail, I can say, unequivocally: the only truly safe road is one that's closed, generally for a race. Bike lanes, bike trails, whatever, if there are other people, on bikes or in cars, danger lurks...constantly

Racer pose their own threat. The only safe place is on your sofa.