Why Don’t Cyclists Use Bike Lanes?

“Cyclists are ***holes, they’ll see a bike lane and ride in the road because they can.” That’s an actual comment we got on this channel, and it’s one of the most puzzling arguments we’ve ever seen against urban cycling and bike infrastructure. It’s just so counterintuitive, like hearing someone claim that drivers are parking their cars in farmers’ fields instead of parking lots. If it’s happening, it’s a little odd, something we should investigate instead of saying “well, I guess there’s no point in bike lanes”. So one day I saw it happening and decided to figure out what was going on.

Keep Urbanity rolling:

References:

[DerHitsch]

I explain to motorists who are annoyed by cyclists on the road that they should campaign for good cycling infrastructure. I don't know any cyclist who would choose to ride on a busy road if they couldn't ride on a well-developed cycle path.

[Alex-odnl]

perhaps a more relevant question should be: why do I often see cars parked in or driving in the bike lane.

[deftfkaubgup]

As a relatively new driver who has been walking/ using public transit their whole life, bike lanes and their faults are even more apparent. In Canada there should be at least a meter between the cyclist and the drivers, yet some bike lanes don’t even give the cyclist that much room. How long until city officials realize that a white line of paint won’t save a cyclist from being in an accident.

[Cheesenommer]

I often leave the bike lane at intersections if it is unprotected and doesn't have its own signal so that drivers don't have the opportunity to hit me when they turn right without looking.

[bruceperry]

The most common instance of cyclists not using bike lanes that I see is riding on the sidewalk when there is a painted gutter bike lane, which just shows that cyclists don't find gutter lanes to be safe/comfortable

[ManifestoConfrm]

Some bike lanes are less comfortable than the car lanes. Changing grades for every driveway and side street hurts my taint.

[SnapDash]

In my city, the bike lanes have no signage and the network is extremely patchy; so it's very easy to get lost or find yourself stranded on a sidewalk or dumped onto a road. To any bruised car-drivers out there, trust me, I'd much rather be in a bike lane than on the road!

[cllax]

I do it for my own safety. There’s a stretch of road on my daily commute where there’s:
A) no sidewalks
B) no bike lanes
C) no room for cars to park on the road but they do anyways

So as a result I am forced to cycle in the middle of the lane so nobody can attempt to pass me. I made the mistake of hugging the parked cars as close as I could and people just fly by me and I have had countless dangerous close calls. Like wtf am I supposed to do? And people still honk at me when I cycle in the middle of the lane. I just don’t want to die trying to go to class yet somehow I’m the a-hole on the road 😔

[PoserBallin]

Bikes are still legaly considered vehicles in canada/ontario and have the right to use any road they want (aside from 400 series highways). that being said, insconsistant or poorly maintained bike networks are what land me on the road most of the time.

[betterpreparedness]

Elements that force me out of the bike lanes include:
1. Damaged road surface and sunken drain covers.
2. Never cleaned bike lanes with lots of broken glass from the recycling truck.
3. Blocked storm drains that mean the path is a giant puddle/lake long after the rain.
In North America, the right-hand part of a road is the worst built and full of debris/hazards.

[Nhkg]

For me, the most common reasons I drive on the road are cars blocking the path.
But we have one stretch in town where a cyclist has to yield to cars coming out of side streets and businesses on the side of the road every 30m or so. Plus at every crossing he has to descend to road level and ride back up a very poorly made cycle path. On the street you are riding on smooth surface and it's a main road to boot. Nothing to think about here, especially when cars can safely get around me on the tram tracks.

[BossMan-yuog]

I've been a fool for years riding my bicycle in the busy streets. It was only last week I discovered there was a bicycle path built along the local river linking the neighboring town. I've since redirected my path of travel and I spend a fraction of the time on the road and my mental health has already improved. When safer alternatives are provided - we very much prefer them!

[Maniac]

There seems to be a widespread attude of cyclist hatred. It's not rational, it's emotional.
I personally know someone who shows a vitriolic hatred of cyclists, despite cycling for years when he was young.

[technomad]

why don't the cars ever ask why they take up soo much space?

[B.D.F.]

My city doesn’t have many bike lanes, and the ones they do have are just painted on and used by cars as extra driving lanes or passing lanes. They’re a total death trap and nobody trusts it for themselves and they definitely don’t trust it for their kids. Heck, half my city doesn’t even have sidewalks, pedestrians are just expected to walk on the road.

[osbaldotheVtenman]

This is why you have to try to assume that people do most things because of some reasonable reason. Curiosity and sympathy are powerful tools

[gingermany]

The city where I live recently installed some "Safe Routes to School" routes meant for children to get to and from school. Someone posted a Saturday morning picture of a recreational sport cyclist riding in the street and so many people lost their mind and used this as proof that the project was a waste of money.

[crowmob-yory]

Perfect timing! Today I had some obnoxious driver in an SUV angrily yell at me for briefly cycling in the street to bypass a crowded section of a parallel bike path.

[technomad]

just shows how little people get out of their cars

[mikalrain]

Crucial point to add: The asphalt is always shittier in the bike lane alongside the road. It's less maintained and bumpier.