Once again, we took to the social media airwaves to name and share the worst bike lanes on the planet. And, readers responded with a wide area of awfully designed bicycle infrastructure that not only looks ridiculous and serves little real purpose, but is also dangerous and puts cyclists at risk.
In the realm of cycling, a smooth, safe, and well-designed bike lane can be a true blessing, offering riders a haven of convenience and protection. Yet, as avid cyclists, we know that not all bike lanes are created equal. Some bike lanes are the stuff of dreams, while others, unfortunately, are nothing short of nightmares. In this article, we embark on a global journey to uncover the darkest secrets of the world’s most treacherous bike lanes.
From perilous paths with unexpected obstacles to glorified sidewalk snippets, join us as we shed light on the bike lanes that leave cyclists scratching their heads in disbelief. These are the lanes where two-wheel enthusiasts might find themselves asking, “Who thought this was a good idea?” Fasten your helmets and saddle up for a tour of the worst bike lanes on the planet, as we delve into the bumpy, the absurd, and the downright dangerous, all in the name of cycling exploration and advocacy.
Manhattan’s East Side Greenway
Pacific Coast Highway, San Diego
“55 mph speed limit, but cars routinely drive 70.”
Dublin, Ireland
“1 metre wide, 2 way cycle and pedestrian path. It’s normally really busy.”
Dublin #2
Sydney, Australia
“Lane starts on the left, mind the steel pole, goes for 30m and ends with a ‘cyclists dismount’ sign.”
Madrid, Spain
En esto sí que Madrid puede asombrar al mundo.
Nobody can compete with Madrid in this. I recommend that you watch this video until second 0:40https://t.co/0cDspW3jUl
— Hugo Martínez Abarca (@hugomabarca) October 3, 2024
Richmond, BC
“Urban trail just ends and dumps riders into traffic under bridge to ….nothing. Cyclists get to meet traffic going 50-60 kph.”
San Diego, California
“This notorious intersection in San Diego… zoom out and note the redundant freeway onramps.”
Murcia, Spain
Belfast, Ireland
“Ormeau Road in Belfast, the cycle lane goes through the bus stop.”
Calgary, Alberta
Newcastle, Australia
“Newcastle, Australia has this awfulness approaching a hospital which is a major employer. Unsurprisingly, parking is a major problem since virtually nobody cycles to work.”
London, England
“London’s #Cycleway1 route is going to be hard to beat. The majority of this joke of a route funded by @TfL and mismanaged by four separate local authorities is missing a key ingredient: a cycle lane. And is instead a confusing backstreet route comprised of roads filled with cars.”
Screenshot
France
“France near Paris, bike lane merging in a quasi-highway.”
Hobart, Tasmania
“Shortest bike lane in the world in Hobart, Tasmania.”
Waterloo, Canada
Northfield Road in Waterloo, Canada
pic.twitter.com/SsPtnABQNz— Transit Twink (@GayTrainSpam) October 3, 2024
Galicia, Spain
“This bike lane in Arteixo, Galicia, Spain connects the beginning of this parking in the middle of nowhere to… the end of the parking in the middle of nowhere.”
Montreal, Canada
“Montréal, Quebec: the obstacles, and the fact that this bike lane appears and disappears several times over ~3km, makes it safer to just ride on the road.”
Melbourne, Australia
“Collins Street Melbourne. That’s not a road shoulder, it’s literally the bike path.”
Verona, Italy
“Happy to contribute with this bike lane in Verona, Italy, going up-down pedestrian ways multiple times, where I risked myself being “arrotato”: poles, steps and other hindrances in-between, with a width at times below 1 meter for 2-way bike & pedestrian shared way.”
Leith Walk, Edinburgh, Scotland
A Deathtrap in Florida
West Vancouver, Canada
“Royal Ave bike lane in West Vancouver.”
Columbus, Ohio
“North 3rd Street Bridge Over top of 670. Columbus Ohio. You have to cut in front of an off ramp while cycling here.”
Yes, even in the Netherlands (here in Pijnacker)
“Just when you’re about to cycle of this steep bridge, they want to launch you into orbit,” wrote a commenter.
Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia
Brent, England
“We are spoiled for choices here but this is as dangerous as it is pointless.”
Obstacle Course
Callosa de Segura, Spain
São Paulo – Brasil
