Meanwhile, in San Francisco... Taxis granted use of bike lanes

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/10/muni-allow-taxis-stop-bike-...

“The City is always talking about ‘sharing the road,’” said Gruberg [spokesman for United Taxicab Workers], “and for the bicyclists to get exclusive access of the bike lane goes completely against that mantra.”

Hang on a second... the what lane? Oh, the bike lane. Surely that wasn't named for just one specific type of transit! Well, gotta run guys... I'm going to go ride my bike in the buses only lane now. Those buses sure need to learn to share the road!

</snark>

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Permalink Reply by ad on October 26, 2011 at 11:55am

In reality, isn't this already what's happening at least in Chicago when taxis and busses drop off or pick up passengers on streets with bike lanes?

Maybe it's just me, but to be honest I would rather have a taxi or buss pull over (safely of course, which is often the rub with busses and taxis) into a bike lane and drop passengers off nearer to the curb. I can then go around the taxi by taking the lane and avoid the passengers and the open car door. The other option of having the taxi stop in the road and the passenger suddenly opening the car door on the curb side--most likely into the bike lane itself from a direction I'm not expecting--and then crossing the bike lane to get to the curb just sounds more dangerous to me as a cyclist.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Schneider on October 26, 2011 at 12:17pm

I really doubt that cabs in SF are getting tickets now simply for being in the bike lane for a minute while picking up/dropping off fares. I'll bet the ones who get ticketed are using the bike lanes as parking spots to sit and wait for fares, etc. Making it legal to be in the bike lane will invite more of that.

I do however agree with ad that I'd rather take the lane to pass a cab in the bike lane than risk getting doored by a fare exiting into the bike lane.

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Permalink Reply by Elliot Bennett on October 26, 2011 at 1:28pm

"...not being able to park in the bike lane to drop off passengers is a safety hazard, because customers have to navigate through a sea of speeding bicyclists..."

Ha! That made me laugh out loud. Must be nice to have so many bikes on the road!"

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Permalink Reply by djm on October 26, 2011 at 2:25pm

Oh, thats a bike lane? Up on Lawrence, its primarily a VIP passing lane.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Tanner on October 26, 2011 at 5:38pm

I attended an ATA event last week and taxis were brought up. There was a mention that taxi's technically have 3 minutes to use the curbside space (including the bike lane) when picking up/dropping off passengers. Not sure the source of that, but would be interesting to look up.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on October 26, 2011 at 6:22pm

No worse than Milwaukee ave. where they try to make it a 2 lane road.

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Permalink Reply by Michael B on October 26, 2011 at 8:27pm

Hmmm San Francisco where Critical Mass started. Where were you when this happened SF Bike Coalition? This is major if it's true. Other cities' cab companies can point to this and start lobbying for similar provisions.

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Permalink Reply by Billy Poore on October 26, 2011 at 8:40pm

'dudes be gettin' caught slippin'!' ....maybe they should "occupy" the bike lanes. (Meant to be taken lightly, not trying to be bogus!)

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Permalink Reply by carl whetherspoon on October 27, 2011 at 8:37am

I don't know. I don't see the big deal. Normally I take any oppountiunty to rail against cabs but what is the alternative? Stopping in traffic then having the fare paying customer open the curbside door into the bike lane? I don't see that working.

Also, SF does not have the same cab culture as here. It is not so predatory and there are way less cabs in general.