Cyclists are Victims of the Law of the Jungle 4923

on safety to lane.

i see your point (i just hate that "deal with it"-end of discussion atbreastude-almost as bad as getting snipped out of context), the lanes put the cyclist where they may not be seen in an intersection where they would be seen if travelling out in the road; but in my commute i travel some bike lanes and some streets without. in town it isnt bad without bike lanes because i can keep up (and anyone who wants to pbutt me and make me sniff their exhaust waiting for the next light has to change lanes to do so); but on streets without the lane i can't do 40 mph so i keep right and motorists will always pbutt in the same lane. most roads around here there is barely room for two cars and i have seen many close calls (head-ons) when people must pbutt me-sometimes i even have to jump onto the sidewalk. in the bike lanes i have had fewer close calls with moving vehicles but more close calls with doors. so it depends on where the lane is etc. i dont think they are inherently safer, but for me they are a much needed alternative to riding a narrow road where everyone drives way to fast. every route has it's unique hazards. i can cite specific examples here in seattle if you like... what i really cant stand are those ped-cycle multi use trails...those are the worst! -alan