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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frank says:

Jun 17 2014 at 4:49 pm

@Simon

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.

That's a beauty right there.

I think its a lack of imagination and a general lack of contemplation of what its like to be on a bike moreso than it is any kind of ill intent.

But it will still kill you.
PeakInTwoYears says:

Jun 17 2014 at 5:24 pm

@frank

I think its a lack of imagination and a general lack of contemplation of what its like to be on a bike moreso than it is any kind of ill intent.

But it will still kill you.

Yeah, there are people out there who will enjoy putting your life at risk, but I think they're a very small minority; I've run into quite few of them. Mostly it's just people not registering phenomena that don't appear to their reptilian back-brains to represent a clear danger to them.
Weldertron says:

Jun 17 2014 at 5:41 pm

@Teocalli

The internet is loaded with great examples....................

Ultimate cyclocross training route!
VeloSix says:

Jun 17 2014 at 6:08 pm

@Fausto Crapiz

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

Speaking of the photo @Frank, the bar tape is is well done. Makes me want to take a razor to mine, and start over
Nate says:

Jun 17 2014 at 7:42 pm

@frank

I asked for that, didn't I?

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Chapeau to @teocalli for the assist.
VbyV says:

Jun 17 2014 at 8:15 pm

@Ron @Ron I have a similar issue with a church near me. When I go South on Sunday morning, I am regularly accosted by a stream of cars speeding down one of my local roads because they're late for church. They blast by 3 inches from my left drop at double the 35mph speed limit , then right-hook into the parking lot of the church right in front of me. Somehow killing a cyclist is less a sin than parking your ass in a pew 30 sec late.
ChrisO says:

Jun 17 2014 at 9:40 pm

@VbyV

@Ron @Ron I have a similar issue with a church near me. When I go South on Sunday morning, I am regularly accosted by a stream of cars speeding down one of my local roads because they're late for church. They blast by 3 inches from my left drop at double the 35mph speed limit , then right-hook into the parking lot of the church right in front of me. Somehow killing a cyclist is less a sin than parking your ass in a pew 30 sec late.

Just remind them "Blessed are the wheelmakers; for they will be called children of Merckx".
GogglesPizano says:

Jun 17 2014 at 9:42 pm

@frank

@Gianni

@xyxax

NYC is the wild west of bike lanes. And now with the city bikes, every clueless person can head down a bike lane in the wrong direction, just because. It might be safer riding in traffic, at least most of it is going in the same direction. I do admire NYC for carving out all those bike lanes though, it's like outlawing smoking in Irish pubs, one would never, ever think it would happen, then it does, and people get used to it.

No part of the world is immune to this absurdity. Joggers, bicyclists (not Cyclists) riding the wrong fucking way. Holy fucking Merckx, its hard enough to try to steal glimpses of myself in the shop windows without crashing, I can't also be dodging oncoming riders!

I ride down one stretch of road with a shitload of windows that in the afternoon lighting during the commute give me a great look at myself looking fantastic. Almost rear ended a BMW while checking myself out at 40km/h the other day... it is hard because I really do look fucking fantastic when I ride, not sure show great I would look with a tacoed front wheel and a bloody nose standing on the sidewalk though ...
Durishin says:

Jun 17 2014 at 9:59 pm

Well writ Frank!
Simon says:

Jun 18 2014 at 3:00 am

@frank

I dunno. I reckon I've nearly been on the receiving end of some ill intent. Usually driven ('scuse the pun) usually driven by a crushed ego. I guess some people just can't handle my awesome :-)