Talk:Bicycle Awareness Zone

As a commuter cyclist, I find that Bicycle Awareness Zone markings and parking lanes (where they exist) significantly reduce my safety: - Without them, motorists who overtake me are obliged to take care and give me room when passing, and they generally do. - With them, motorist who park in the extra "lane" make no attempt to stop near the kerb (up to 1.5m from it), and when

   I am forced into the other lane I have to give way to motorists overtaking me (who I cannot see without looking behind).
   Motorist expect that I should aways stay in the "bike" lane and are reluctant to give me room when I am in the other lane.

This is worst on down hill sections, because my speed is higher and it is not safe to look behind for clearance to change lanes. Consequently, I tend to remain in the main traffic lane for the whole section.