This works for fit people with the wherewithal to approximate average speeds on the choked roadways. Bike lanes are towards the low end of what constitutes bicy

This works for fit people with the wherewithal to approximate average speeds on the choked roadways. Bike lanes are towards the low end of what constitutes bicycle infrastructure, but they do give a great number of people the confidence to get out on their bikes. This is good for all cyclists, as all evidence points to “more bicycles; better average safety.” Look to parents with kids in tow as an indicator species for the health of a bicycling ecosystem. That said, I am personally wary of bike lanes for the reason I suspect you are: I’m constantly needing to be hyper vigilant about cars turning right across the bike lane. When I’m clipping along in traffic, I’ll move left in the lane at intersections to prevent this. Bike lanes can make this maneuver harder, especially if they have a painted buffer that is littered with tire-shredding debris. I suspect, but haven’t seen research, that the right hook scenario is lessened for slower moving bicycles (i.e. the kind that are perhaps more drawn to bike lanes). There is a longer span of time for an overtaking vehicle to observe a slower bicyclist in the bike lane, which I’d guess reduces the risk of the driver turning across. Add to that, a slower moving bicyclist isn’t going to run into the side panel of a car turning across the bike lane with as much force.