Bike lane placement and the right hook..

http://cphpost.dk/national/minister-takes-action-after-latest-fatal-bicycle-accident

Everyone's doing it wrong. Having the bike lane on the far right and then telling cyclists they are now much safer is just asking for more deaths like this.

I can't even blame the motorist either. Especially when they are already in the middle of executing their right turn when the cyclist comes rushing up from behind thinking the motorist has eyes in the back of their head.

I think bike lanes should be placed to the left of the right lane with no barriers like that one on Burrard street. Cars can easily cross over the bike lane safely if they need to get in the right lane and it'll keep the cyclist on their toes having lanes of traffic on either side.

Good idea FO

What about doing it like the Dutch do?

I think you should start another thread.

"Socialistisk Folkeparti"

Now that's a political party name that would never fly in 'Merica.

Makes a good band name/bumper sticker/t-shirt I think.

I think bike lanes should be placed to the left of the right lane with no barriers like that one on Burrard street. Cars can easily cross over the bike lane safely if they need to get in the right lane and it'll keep the cyclist on their toes having lanes of traffic on either side.

There was a lane like this one my old commute and it was way worse than the usual lanes. Drivers would speed up to cut across my path and I was nearly thrown off more times than I can count. It was worse being stuck between two loaded semis.
Everyone needs to be more diligent with their awareness, that's the only way people will stop getting killed. There is no such thing as an invisible person or car, only our unwillingness to see them.

There is no such thing as an invisible person or car, only our unwillingness to see them.

Really? How about a cyclist flying down Lynn Valley road on a dark, rainy evening with no lights or reflectors wearing dark clothing? Never did see him but came as close as I ever want to to killing a cyclist.

Even worse is the spirit trail bike lanes in North Vancouver where the bike lane traffic is bidirectional on the north side of the road. Drivers making right turns onto esplanade and the other lower level road don't even think of looking righ for traffic since they aren't expecting anyone to be coming from that direction.

Everytime I ride that section I end up coming to complete stop at the intersaction to avoid being hit.

Amsterdam has their dangerous sections of bike lanes too. One day we sat eating the best pancakes I've ever had at a cafe patio and watched several close calls and one collision. You could see them coming before they happenned.

Even worse is the spirit trail bike lanes in North Vancouver where the bike lane traffic is bidirectional on the north side of the road. Drivers making right turns onto esplanade and the other lower level road don't even think of looking righ for traffic since they aren't expecting anyone to be coming from that direction.

Everytime I ride that section I end up coming to complete stop at the intersaction to avoid being hit.

Amsterdam has their dangerous sections of bike lanes too. One day we sat eating the best pancakes I've ever had at a cafe patio and watched several close calls and one collision. You could see them coming before they happenned.

Didn't you get the memo? Bike lane paint emits a mystical force field that protects you from large moving objects.

The city can try its hardest to make these bike lanes as safe as possible, but at some point it's just gotta come down to bikers smartening up. If bikers just pay attention to cars trying to make a right and act accordingly, I think the right side lanes work fine.

I ride in on Dunsmuir everyday and MOST cars shoulder check to look for bikes before turning. That said, I stare down every car I see looking to turn right, assuming that they don't know I'm there.

The Dutch method could work, but ultimately, if bikers are assuming that turning cars are going to stop and let them go, there's going to be trouble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlApbxLz6pA

Safe bike commuting comes down to situational awareness. Unfortunately a lot of bikers don't pay attention to that.

^^^
Agree … on the road, never pass between the right curb and a car that appears to be slowing down or stopping … if its going slow enough for you to overtake it on the right (inside), somthin' ain't right up ahead. If in doubt, pass on the left - like a car - when safe. That's where most people tend to check for traffic before they pull out.

The Dutch method could work, but ultimately, if bikers are assuming that turning cars are going to stop and let them go, there's going to be trouble.

I see some motorists squeeze right up to the curb at a stop to try to prevent cyclists from pulling even or turning right ahead of them. I don't think a bike lane will deter them.

The city can try its hardest to make these bike lanes as safe as possible, but at some point it's just gotta come down to bikers smartening up.

Pretty much.

I especially love it when cyclists tail a car in their blind spot all the way to the intersection than try to pass on the right then curse out the motorist for almost hitting them.

"That cyclist just came out of nowhere!" Not always a dumb excuse.

^^^I see some motorists squeeze right up to the curb at a stop to try to prevent cyclists from pulling even or turning right ahead of them. .

Yeah. Because many of these douche-bags will squeeze through and then just sit there blocking your turn.
Cyclists in this town are so their own worst enemy.

Yeah. Because many of these douche-bags will squeeze through and then just sit there blocking your turn.
Cyclists in this town are so their own worst enemy.

I usually wait at a stop intersection beside the gap between the first car and the one behind … but if their turn signal isn't on, and the car isn't turning there really is no reason to do this. I'd say about 50% of drivers don't use their turn signals.