Among many cyclists, bike lanes already have a bad reputation. If wisely designed and properly planned, however, bike lanes can be a boon to urban riders. But, they can also create greater peril for cyclists on the road—especially when cars take precedence. On many streets, bike lanes seem no more than an empty gesture by municipalities that cater only to cars. In certain cities, the local government’s true sentiment toward cyclists has never been so evident as it is now, when the line that separates the bike lane from the roadway is legally blurred.

In Austin, Texas, the City Council voted to allow vehicle parking in the bike lane on Shoal Creek Blvd., a major thoroughfare for cars and cyclists. Local residents were engaged in a tussle with the city of Austin over this bike lane for several years, until the cars finally won out.

In a written response, Michael Bluejay of Bicycle Austin addressed the Council’s decision:

Call me crazy, but I think the phrase "bike lane" implies a lane for bicycles, not cars. That's true in most places, but not in Austin, Texas. In Austin it's legal for cars to park in most of the bike lanes, rendering them useless for their supposed purpose. Why even call it a bike lane, why even paint that stripe down the road, if cyclists can't actually use it?

This phenomenon isn’t only parking itself in Texas, where one vehicle in every four is a large pickup truck. In Brooklyn, New York, the Adams Street bike lane is consistently clogged by parked limos, taxis, and buses. A blogger on Brownstoner expressed frustration that city law enforcement fails to give these offenders tickets for violating bike lane and parking rules. (Perhaps that’s because many of the offending drivers are part of law enforcement, themselves? Click here for incriminating proof.)

See also: Where the Bike Lane Ends: Cyclists Shafted by “Stupid” Planning

Photos via flickr by sfbike & ratherbebiking.

Comments (4)

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MarkR said:

You've got to love bike friendly Austin I think now your starting to understand one of the many reasons I hate bike lanes so much. When you have to swerve into the main traffic lane every 200 yards or so, you may as well get rid of bike lanes all together and trust me its not just Shoal Creek. Most bike lanes on residential streets are fair game to cars.

April 03, 2008

ChipSeal said:

MarkR, come to Dallas, we have 10 to 15 foot wide bike lanes all over the city! (We call them arterials!) I am actually serious about this. Dallas is mostly a "Super Block" style layout. Residential streets wind about with no good through streets. It forces traffic onto the surrounding arterials to make the neighborhoods quieter. Our arterials are two to three narrow lanes each way with no curbside parking. The right lane IS the bike lane! Speed limits are posted at 35-45 MPH, but I have no problems with overtaking traffic. I just take the lane and they manage to get around me without any fuss. I can also boast that in the last 7,000 miles I have never been right-hooked! I am convinced that cyclist safety is maximized on multi-lane roads that have a NARROW right lane. (Sorta like it is down Austin way now, eh?)

April 04, 2008

MarkR said:

I'm with ya chip. we have quite a few roads your describing, and I have no problem riding the right lane of a 45 mph arterial if there is no other less traveled alternative. in fact on my 9 mile commute to work, I have to for the same reasons you describe. I have 1- 4 lane non divided 1- 6 lane divided that I ride on that is great for bikes, and 1-4 lane divide with a bike lane. all three are 45 mph or grater. The 6 lane is wide enough that most cars stay out of the right lane unless they are tuning, and it gives me plenty of room, It also helps I'm going the opposite direction of all the traffic. The 4 lane divided with a bike lane is where I have to be most cautious because of the debris that builds up in the bike lane that isn't swept off, also there are 3 - 4 way stops and about 3 right turns into subdivisions, I do find my self needing to be more cautious in the bike lane to ensure I don't get right hooked. As you say the roads where you take the right lane you don't have as many right hook problems as you do with roads that have dedicated bike lanes. But I'll admit as a person that lives and works in the burbs, I usually avoid the city riding with the exception of commuting, because 1.5 miles from my house is wide open with hundreds of miles of 2 lane country farm roads that have minimal to no traffic. for rec. riding I can go west and get in the thick of it and have cars pass ever 10-20 seconds. or I can go east and have 1 car pass me every hour or so. That makes east a real easy choice for me for just packing on miles.

April 04, 2008

Lloyd Alter said:

Is the original story really two years old or is that a typo?

April 04, 2008

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