Bad overtakes at new Dunbar St Sharrows

New Dunbar St bike lane is under construction. At the intersection with King Edward, sharrows have been placed to position bikes in the more visible primary position. But not everyone overtakes carefully or waits until it is safe to do so.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• cycling
• helmetcam
• vancouver
• pov1.5
• dunbar
• st
• sharrows
• bike
• lane

[Mattyew]

You were forcing cars into the oncoming-left turn lane, that's why both cars honked at you. The car preparing to turn left was giving as much room as possible and there was still very little room for the people behind you to pass. Yes, you should take up as much room as possible, but this was asking for too much.

[alexwarrior1]

@Mattyew Yeah I don't know why they put the sharrows there. This is a brand new installation. I'm thinking it has something to do with the bus stop right after the intersection. I'm going to scope it out when a bus is there and see what the lane looks like

[quatlen]

I see that you were riding over the designated bike path but you had SO MUCH ROOM TO YOUR RIGHT! I'm wondering why you didn't stay right?

[alexwarrior1]

@quatlen Much of the current school of thought on traffic safety says that bikes should take the middle of the lane at intersections to reduce right hook and left cross hazards. These marking are brand new at this intersection and I'll certainly be re-evaluating the best positioning as I use it more.

[downfader2]

@Mattyew Well no, the cyclist was not in control of their cars, the drivers were, so hence if there was a cyclist in front they should anticipate and react accordingly.

Here in the UK cyclists are encouraged (by our Highway Code) to take primary position through junctions for visibility and safety. Drivers here are also dissuaded from overtaking through junctions for both reasons.

I dont think you can blame the cyclist for the ambiguity of the road layout

[Mattyew]

@Mattyew You can't expect cars to wait for you just because you want that much room

[CycleMan2200]

That was stupid.

[longwave2007]

Hmmmm...and then motorists wonder why cyclists want separated bike lanes.