“Section 13-7 Lane Use in Designated Bicycle Lanes
Not withstanding the provisions of Section 13-6, bicyclists shall yield the right-of-way to motorists making a right turn maneuver in a bicycle lane. Except when overtaking a slower
bicyclist or to make a left turn maneuver, or to avoid a hazard, bicyclists shall stay within marked bicycle lanes. When making a left turn maneuver, bicyclists shall move to the center of
the roadway and execute their maneuver in accordance with the rules of the road. Bicycles shall be operated consistent with the provisions of c. 85 of the General Laws.”

Lot’s of problems here. Despite the last sentence, it’s clearly inconsistent with state law, and therefore invalid. However, some day it might cost someone a lot of time and legal fees to find this out. Meanwhile, it’s a license for harassment.

I seem to recall coming across a comment you made that Somerville MA has made bike lane use mandatory, but I can’t find it.

Is this true – does Sommerville have a MBL law?
Are there any exceptions at all (left turns, bike lane blocked, etc.)?
Where have they installed bike lanes?
How well/poorly are they installed?
Does Massachusetts let local towns impose any arbitrary restriction on bicyclists they choose?

When I started commuting, I used the sidewalk. Bicycle lanes were used, when available, but mostly sidewalks. I did not feel comfortable using either or “safe” for that matter.

Most bike lanes in Orlando, FL serve as a trap for debris swept from the travel lanes or storm runoff. I would be better off taking the grassy right of way than to use the bike lanes we have.

My story:
http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/05/20/myownignorance/

All drivers should be watching for all other drivers, regardless of vehicle type. That’s much easier if all drivers are following the same rules.

You say: “The UK has both advisory cycle lanes (use not required) and compulsory cycle lanes (use required)”. This is incorrect.

With mandatory (not compulsory) cycle lanes it is mandatory for motor vehicle to keep out of the lane – not for cyclists to use them. Mandatory cycle lanes are marked by solid lines.

Advisory cycle lanes are marked by dashed lines and motor vehicles can enter them if a cyclist in not in them.

In the UK it is not compulsory for cyclists to use any cycle facilities such as cycle lanes. Cyclists have the right to use any road (except motorways).

Hope this helps.

Greg

In area of Sunnyvale, CA, newer bike lanes are marked and signed that near intersections cars are to merge into the wide bike lane to turn right. IN fact at Fremont Ave and Hwy 85 the bike lane is left of the right turn lane, where it should be.

The real value of bike lanes is to segregate modes of traffic by their speed. In every state of the union, being picky it is unlawful to impede traffic, be you in a tractor, car or bike, if you have some many behind your vehicle (be it car, tractor or bike), you are to pull over. Bike lanes avoid that necessity. The safety issue for all is lane changes especially brought out with impatience cause all type of accidents, especially in cars and trucks blind spots, not just affecting bikers. Bike lanes of busy streets improves car traffic volume capacity.

Another issue about bike lanes is in areas of high curb activity as in a commercial strip mall street, car drivers just do not notice someone in bike lanes. That is a street design issue, that perhaps some areas should not have bike lanes, till the street layout is fixed. If there is high curb activity, then speed limits, should be fairly low, 30 MPH, more conducive to taking the lane, and safer merging of cars into car traffic too..

To claim that bike lanes are wrong and bad because local designs and driver familiarity is not up to date, or well thought out enough is folly. It leaves bikers with stone age facilities. In our area there are many excellent bike lanes, with very few curb entrances, designed well that right hooks are very rare on these well designed bike lanes.

(frankly I have more concerns about right hooks even taking the lane with impatient drivers on some 6 lane streets without bike lanes we have here – for those bad drivers the only solution is for all bikers to get their tag numbers and call the police, our police are very good in talking with those who drive unsafely, it seem to work for the most part.)

The best resource on appropriate deign of bike lanes I have seen so far (there are likely better ones) is the London Cycling Design Standards

Regards
P Grant Sunnyvale ,CA, USA