new_grass

new_grass t1_iue6tdc wrote

Bike infrastructure is relatively new to most people, and we don't have a consistently communicated set of norms around them as we do with roads. Virtually every driver in the country has to take some sort of course and exam before they get in a vehicle. Nothing like that is true of cycling, and if there is, it's not consistent across jurisdictions. Maybe with time things will get better, but for a lot of folks, this new infrastructure is essentially appear in front of their eyes with little to no communication by the institutions creating it.

Does this excuse the behavior? No. But it shouldn't be surprising to see a certain level of anarchy with bike infrastructure in this transitional period.

Also, the nonsense that happens in and around bike lines is committed by pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. On my bike ride from North Cambridge to South End (and back) yesterday, I encountered about 10 cars parked in the bike lane, 5 pedestrians walking in the bike lane, 2 bluebike cyclists stationary in the bike lane, 1 car that almost doored me, and 1 cyclist who pulled into the bike lane from the sidewalk without looking at oncoming cycling traffic. There were also 3 cars who did not check the bike lane before turning right. This is an everyone problem.

Rather than throw shade on Reddit, just do your best to inform people of the rules of the road when you get the opportunity, even if it's just a few words as you pass someone cycling the wrong way.

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