One of the downsides of separate bicycle infrastructure is that it has the tendency to demote cyclists to 2nd-class road users.
It would be fine if there was comprehensive bike infrastructure that allowed cyclists to never have to share road with motor vehicles, but we know that's not going to happen. As a result, drivers will see cyclists on the road and get upset and behave badly because they think to themselves that the cyclists "should" be using the bike infrastructure, not knowing that for part of the commute the cyclists have no separate infrastructure.
The cycling community would prefer the bikes be treated as equally deserving of space and accommodation by drivers, but it doesn't happen.
Comments
One of the downsides of separate bicycle infrastructure is that it has the tendency to demote cyclists to 2nd-class road users.
It would be fine if there was comprehensive bike infrastructure that allowed cyclists to never have to share road with motor vehicles, but we know that's not going to happen. As a result, drivers will see cyclists on the road and get upset and behave badly because they think to themselves that the cyclists "should" be using the bike infrastructure, not knowing that for part of the commute the cyclists have no separate infrastructure.
The cycling community would prefer the bikes be treated as equally deserving of space and accommodation by drivers, but it doesn't happen.