What in the world are bike lanes for?

With the nice weather and the onset of spring I have been enjoying riding my bike around town rather than driving. It has been lovely to fill my lungs with the sweet smell of blooming flowers and listen to the bird songs, while exercising my body on my way to and from class and running errands.

Unfortunately, today a woman in an SUV yelled at me.

For some reason I really hate these stickers, and SUV lady had one.

Image credit: http://www.mr-miata.net/2010/12/family-car-stickers/

The following is my artistic rendition of the encounter:

Stopped at a stoplight next to SUV lady on Howes St. heading north.

(don't worry mom; I was actually wearing a helmet, It just looked funny in the drawing)

Lady leaning over to the passenger seat and totally not looking at the road to yell at me.

Lady leaning over to the passenger seat and totally not looking at the road to yell at me.

I have compiled a list of possible uses for that bit of road bordered by two white lines found between the car lane and the sidewalk.

1. Extra space for driving while texting. (Saw that happen once: young girl was texting and nearly hit a biker. But that's a story for another day.)
2. Parked vehicle door opening space.
3. Alien spaceship landing zones.
4. Area for delivery trucks to stop in order to not block car traffic.
5. Saved road in case of future lane expansion.

But enough of that. I know SUV lady probably doesn't read my blog. For other readers I have including the list of basic rules for bicycles according to the Fort Collins Government website:

• In the state of Colorado a bicycle is a vehicle, you have the same rules and responsibilities as a motor vehicle
• Ride in a designated bike lane if one is present, otherwise ride as far to the right hand side of the road as practicable
• Don't weave in and out of parked vehicles - hold a straight line of travel
• Ride with traffic
• Ride single file
• Don't cling to other vehicles
• Obey all traffic signs and signals
• Use a light at night
• Yield to Pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing

Further information and reading:

• You can find a complete list of laws for Fort Collins bicyclists here.
• For bicycle laws in the state of Colorado, click here.
• And a link to the Complete Colorado Cycling Manual.

For your state these laws may be different. I believe everyone should read up on their biking laws before they go around yelling at bicyclists who are indeed following the rules.

Thanks for reading, leave a comment about your encounters with people not following traffic laws.