To ride a bike safely takes good balance, a view of what's ahead, and a clear direction of traffic — especially in a big city.
Yet obstacles in the middle of a bike lane can put all three in jeopardy.
Like a piece of trash or a tree branch? Unfortunately, it could be something even bigger — like a massive moving truck, as one Redditor reported in the r/VancouverCycling feed.
"It seems like people are using bike lanes as loading zones and temp parking more and more frequently," they wrote, attaching a photo showing a big rig van's parking job that completely covered one lane of bike traffic in the Canadian city.
Parking a vehicle in the middle of a bike lane is dangerous. People have been seriously injured or even killed from needing to swerve out of the way, often into oncoming bike traffic or the car lane.
Granted, everyone's just trying to do their job, and perhaps it's on local governments to account for business needs like loading zones while also expanding bicycle access. Still, no matter how tough it is to find a parking spot, putting an immovable hunk of metal between biker traffic is like parking a plane in the middle of the highway — it just doesn't make sense.
Stay hydrated and refreshed this holiday season — without any sugar or harmful additives Nuun’s zero-sugar hydration tablets are a perfect, guilt-free way to enhance your water throughout the day. You’ll get five essential electrolytes for everyday hydration — with zero grams of sugar. Plus, Nuun tablets are certified vegan and gluten-free, and they’re the perfect size to keep in your car, purse, or anywhere you'll want a healthy, restorative drink. Learn more → |
Not to mention, making the bike lane an obstacle course discourages people from reaping all of cycling's benefits in the first place: commuting to work, saving on gas money, or enjoying a healthy hobby, to name a few. That means more people will use a car — and the pollution they create — instead.
Ironically, bike lanes can actually increase both pedestrian and roadway safety — but it's become dangerous for an actual biker to use them.
The way out of this conundrum starts with the common understanding that a bike lane is specifically designed for people riding bikes. Supporting measures that decrease our reliance on cars helps, too.
|
Do you think your city has good air quality? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Definitely 🥰 "More hazards in bike lanes than out nowadays," one commenter noted.
There's a reason dermatologists personally use this daily moisturizing sunscreen more than any other brand Dermatologists see and understand skin at a much deeper level than the rest of us, and they know that the perfect SPF both protects and corrects your skin. That's why they trust, recommend, and personally use EltaMD more than any other brand. EltaMD's clinically tested formulas are designed with dermatologists to meet the needs of any skin type or condition. They're also designed for consistent daily wear to build long-term resilience with a moisturizing, lightweight, non-comedogenic texture — plus hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Learn more → |
"Poor city planning," another remarked.
"This should be a huge fine," a third added.
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
