About Bike Lanes...

[Bluetree]

Seattle has a fair number of bike lanes, but much too often they have been poorly planned (even new ones), with parking to the right that places the rider directly in the door zone...

I had a near-miss this morning on exactly that type of lane, except it wasn't with a door, it was a dog. I was cruising about 16-17 mph and keeping my eye on the parked cars to my right when a woman with a dog came out between two SUVs (she couldn't see me coming over the big cars). Her English Spaniel walked out into the bike lane just as a mass of cars came up on my left.
My options were: Go straight, hit the dog; Go left, go hit by a car; Go right, go right through the dog's outstretched leash.
As soon as I saw it, I started braking and screamed, "Outa the way!" Luckily, the woman heard me and yanked her dog out of the bike lane in the nick of time. The poor critter went sailing through the air backwards as she reeled him in.
I don't think drivers see this space as a "bike lane" no matter how many bicycle logos are painted on the asphalt. They see it as their own private driveway or something. I agree with Eden. Most times I prefer to take up the driving lane on smaller street, despite the honkers... at least they can see you!