Originally Posted by
Bekologist
you're going to have to think that through a little more thoroughly.
mandatory bikelane law.
what - you think the motoring public has no opinion at all when they see cyclists in florida riding outside of the bikelanes for debris or where turns are authorized?
I wonder why sparewheel thinks bikelanes AND 'bikes may use full travel lane' are going to be needed in HIS portland?
you think mandatory use laws don't negatively affect public perception of cycling? ask spare wheel about that.
I've read the law and thought it through and practice my interpretation every day on the roads.
You know the use of the word
Mandatory (and I made the mistake of using it myself) is misleading. Many cyclist think you need to stay in that lane, period. And that was the whole point of contention when they passed the revised law.
Fact is, that is just wrong. I go outside the bike lane quite a bit, especially if there's a turn and I'm too fast for traffic, I take the lane, I've even done this with cops around.
You guys are just freakin' out over nothing at all.