Originally Posted by
njkayaker
"Blame" is not a useful word here.
The lane is in the "door zone". Riding in the "door zone" is risky.
These three things are true:
1- Drivers need to learn to look back whether or not there's a bicycle lane.
Brilliant
2- Bicyclists need to understand that the "door zone" is a risky place to ride. Green paint doesn't make it less risky.
Well you started off well enough. The green paint increases awareness.
3- Cyclists should not be riding in a bicycle lane if it's dangerous/risky to be riding there.
That would defeat the purpose, don't you think?
As the cyclist, you can't do much to control 1.
As the cyclist, if you aren't dealing with 2 and 3, you aren't doing enough to keep yourself safe (you aren't "driving defensively"). Don't rely on others to keep you safe.
There is no defense against every possible danger in all directions all the time.
Legally, it's going to be the driver's "fault" but that being useful entails you first being in a collision.
If its going to happen at least you won't be held liable for damages.
Originally Posted by
Newspaper_Nick
Good luck trying to change driving culture. It will never work. What will work is to improve cars and car doors, through technology. Once we all figure this out, it will be a lot easier.
Blind spot warning? Its already been figured out. It just needs to be applied more generally. Thank God for 21st century technology.
Originally Posted by
Daniel4
If there's one thing I can praise about Toronto bike lanes is that when there are parked cars, the bike lanes are located between the curb and the parked cars separated by bollards or other physical separations in a 1 ft margin.
Doorings can still happen but on the passenger side and only if the passenger wildly swings the door open without concern about hitting the door against the bollard or planters.
There are foolproof lanes here too, but they're few and far between.