Penguin TV: The Stupidest Bike Lane in America
It’s official: Silver Spring is home of America’s stupidest bicycle lane, according to Slate magazine.
The bike lane — at Wayne Avenue and Cedar Street — runs about one car length against the flow of traffic, then ends abruptly with a concrete curb. Pretty stupid.
Thanks to the South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association for posting this video. Lead photo courtesy of Flickr user Dave.Dandelion.
That was great and from my limited bike lane experience I would have to agree. I would also add that the precarious bike lane also causes hazards to pedestrians. I have been nearly run down while walking down ceder by confused cyclists.
Funny video! I use this route all the time to go from downtown SS to my home new Montgomery College. I never took the bike path sign literally. My interpretation is that Cedar used to be a two way street, was changed to one-way for cars, but it provides the only route for bikes to avoid Fenton St. One can get to Grove St which parallels Fenton, and is a much nicer ride.
The bike path sign was intended to be taken literally when it was put up. A bike path did exist briefly on Cedar Street, but was removed when local residents complained, leaving the short stub that is there today. The history of this bike path is given at silverspringtrails.org .
The existing situation is dangerous, because it does not give fair warning to cyclists obeying the bike path sign or to motorists that cyclists will be riding against one-way traffic. The bike path line at the entrance also encourages cyclist to enter the street at the most dangerous location - in a blind spot on the side where cyclists cannot see or be seen easily.
The recognition as a stupid bike lane is well deserved.