Why don't cyclists use bike lanes? What is a bike lane? (In Queensland anyway)

Regular viewers will know that I share the occasional video of ordinary driving around me while I'm cycling. When I share those videos as shorts, and they go to a wider audience beyond subscribers, I get some hilariously uninformed comments about how I should "get in the bike lane" - invariably when there is no bike lane in the video.

So, let me help you by defining what a bike lane is (in Queensland), the other types of cycling infrastructure and the rules around using them.

0:00 Intro
0:52 What is a bike lane?
2:45 Why don't cyclists always use bike lanes?
3:35 Resist the red mist
4:15 Footpaths
4:50 Shared paths
6:00 Dedicated cycle paths
6:50 What is a car lane?
7:38 Summing up

[Cycleops]

Even the police have no idea what a bike lane is.
When I reported a driver for squeezing me off the road. The police response was to tell me I should have been in the bike lane.
But like your video, there was no bike lane anywhere on the road.

[CommissionerManu]

More Aussies could do with seeing this video! Nice one mate 👍🏼

[michaelbradbrook]

Thanks Chris. I'm 100% of the opinion that if a car can park in a bike lane, then it is a car park, not a bike lane!

[ecotekkSC]

Thank you, Chris Cox, for sharing this informative video about bike lanes and cycling infrastructure in Queensland! As a fellow cyclist, I can't express enough how valuable it is to educate others about the reality of using bike lanes.

It's unfortunate that some people leave uninformed comments about cyclists not using bike lanes when, in fact, there might not even be one present in the video. Your video clears up any misconceptions and helps viewers understand the different types of cycling infrastructure available, from bike lanes to shared paths and dedicated cycle paths.

By promoting awareness about these various options, you're not only ensuring the safety of cyclists but also fostering a better understanding between cyclists and motorists. It's essential to highlight that cyclists choose the appropriate paths depending on their safety, traffic conditions, and local regulations.

Keep up the great work of sharing your cycling experiences and promoting cycling education. Your efforts contribute to a more bike-friendly community and encourage others to adopt a positive attitude towards cyclists. I've subscribed to your channel, and I'm excited to see more of your informative content in the future. Happy cycling! 🚴‍♂😊

[gamble]

I call the bike lanes around me "close pass lanes" Because it is either a narrow strip that encourages cars to pass too close, or a picure of a bike on a narrow pavement that forces you close to pedestrians. Bike lanes in most of Scotland: Somebody's getting close passed!

[jasonrivers]

Absolutely with you on road safety, Chris- that's why my bike has a full motorcycle lighting system, with high-mount brake lights and a horn.
Happy cycling, mate.

[ticklishhoneybee]

I considered getting a car license last year (didn't, just built a trailer for my bike instead), but one interesting thing I found while doing the theory part of a car license is that (in QLD at least) there's no such thing as "right of way"; you can give the way to another road user, but no one has the right to the way at any time.

One of your comments in this reminded me of that.

[benfurfie]

This video does a great job at showing the flaw in relying on shared paths to provide safe infrastructure for cyclists. It makes the assumption that cyclists are only out for a leisurely ride. It completely ignores the reality that many rely on them for their main method of transport (even in a country as hostile to cyclists as Australia).

Any task that is time constrained (such as commuting) will always lead to faster cycling, which is completely incompatible with shared paths. It just goes to show that you need both shared paths for the very real contingent of people who cycle for leisure (and which act as a gateway drug to active transportation), and on-road infrastructure for those using their bikes for getting to work, the shops, or running errands.

And while I don't recommend it, we'd all be safer if people doing a run to the bottle-o did it on a bike, rather than half munted in a car.

[oceanastronautsband]

Good video, Chris and very well presented. NSW police could do with using this as a training tool for some of their officers.

[darrenhaines]

Shout out to the 2 drivers who were looking out for me this afternoon as I tried to get to the pedestrian crossing outside of Eagle Junction station.
If only there was a northern bikeway!

[ChrisTopher_Urbanism]

"Bike lanes" trying to trick people into cycling in the car door zone surely had to have been conceived as a mean-spirited prank

[argonaut]

Enjoy your videos even though I'm a Pommy. As a daily cycle commuter it's interesting to see what cycling is like Down Under 👍

[nogthree]

But what if I do want to complain about the state of bike lanes and registration? :) Great video Chris.

[MurrayMcDonald]

I wonder if the State Government could, I don't know, maybe ban parking in a bike lane.

Whoops! I need to be careful. The Transport Minister blocked me on Twitter for suggesting he should do that. ;-)

[michaelarchbold]

I feel a big part of the road abuse of cyclists is due to these simple rules not being widely known.

Would love to see more focus on driver education around this, and simple respect of people (outside of the car) on the road .

[bobbieboothroyd]

I love the hat under the Helmite. It's just common sense really. I think most of the time pedestrians and cyclists get on as a rule because they can see each other and even have a chat. Where as if your in a car your in a box and are cut off from the rest of the world. Which my give people the confidence to shout out of the window. It spooks me a bit when bikes ride to close when I'm walking bit that doesn't happen that often. The naughbures may not be out to get you but the Traffic department maybe after the last video lol. Great video keep up the good work

[lmmlStudios]

audio only coming out of the left headphone on this video

[johnsonya]

Great video Chris. However, I have to point out that the presence of a white bicycle symbol or green paint has no bearing on whether a 'bicycle lane' really is a bicycle lane. The only thing that makes a lane a bicycle lane is the bicycle lane sign... it is usually a sign, but it can be a road marking. In other words, a while bicycle symbol must also have the work 'lane' painted with it in order for it to denote a bicycle lane. There are thousands of 'bicycle lanes' that look like real bicycle lanes but actually aren't. Bribie Island is full of them. In fact I don't think there is one single bicycle lane on Bribie Island!

[dgphi]

Even if someone is breaking the law, you are not allowed to take vigilante action and punish them! That is itself against the law!

[ridinginryde]

Good reality check for a lot of drivists out there!