We sometimes get contact from “experienced” bike users who don’t like protected bike lanes. Originally raised on r/Melbournecycling, you can read all the anti-protected bike lane comments, as well as some suggestions to improve the new lanes.
In fact all the evidence is that protected lanes improve safety, reduce crashes and most importantly they result in increased numbers of riders. This is based on Melbourne’s own before and after studies of protected lanes and evidence from similar installations around the world, using crash statistics and rider counts. See for example page 45 of City of Melbourne Transport Strategy 2030.
Experienced riders, by definition, are those who are prepared to mix it with cars on unprotected bike lanes. That leaves 99% of the population out of the equation. To increase the number of people riding, we need to build the type of infrastructure that appeals to more than 1% of the population.
Change often brings resistance, but we are sure that “experienced” cyclists can adapt and welcome more fellow riders who will start riding because of the new lanes.
