Originally Posted by
63rickert
Try to imagine an urban situation. Just try. In a single city block there may be an alley and two driveways. Plus the intersection at end of block. The bike lane is to right of parking lane. The parking lane is permanently fully occupied. Most of the vehicles parked are trucks or SUVs. Drivers in traffic lane cannot see bikes in bike lane, bikes in lane cannot see drivers about to turn right. If you can imagine that at all you will understand why urban bike lanes are hopeless.
Of the many types of bike lanes in Toronto, the one you describe is one of the safest. The difference is that car parking does not go all the way to the intersection - they never did anyways. By law, parking right up to the intersection is prohibited where I live. The parked cars provide a safety buffer for cyclists.
So right-turning vehicles, when they pose a danger to cyclists, have posed the same danger to pedestrians when there were no bike lanes. However, now with bike lanes, those that have curbs or bollards at the intersection force motorists be more aware while making their turns carefully. If you can't imagine that, then come visit and see for yourself.