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.
Well, I just rode the bike lane on Mass. Ave. from Arlington to Cambridge and back going about 21 mph. Do I still have to imagine it? It was actually pretty well positioned and very fast. I popped out of the lane in a couple places, but it wasn't even remotely scary for an urban ride, especially in the Boston area..