Waymo, the self-driving car company owned by Google’s parent Alphabet Inc., is facing criticism after admitting its driverless taxis stop in bike lanes to pick up and drop off passengers. And they don’t seem to care about the health and safety of cyclists.
For an article in Streetsblog, the company said this is normal practice because it’s what customers expect, but cycling advocates argue it’s unsafe and often against traffic rules.
Christopher White, executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, explained in the article that Waymo has indicated that requiring its vehicles to fully respect bike lanes is “too high a bar,” and that entering bike lanes is considered a “normal practice” expected by customers.
Back in 2023, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition opposed a decision by regulators to allow expanded robotaxi service from Waymo and Cruise in San Francisco, arguing the companies have not yet demonstrated safe operation. The group cited numerous reported incidents involving autonomous vehicles obstructing emergency responders, disrupting transit, and creating hazards for people walking and cycling, while also criticizing limited collision data. Beyond safety concerns, the coalition warned that adding more vehicles to already congested streets undermines efforts to promote biking and public transit, and raised equity questions about access and funding.
The bike lane issue has been raised by cycling groups in U.S. cities where Waymo already operates. Critics say the cars may follow speed limits and stop at lights, but they still block bike lanes—forcing cyclists into traffic and increasing the risk of crashes. In one case, a cyclist was seriously injured after a Waymo vehicle stopped in a bike lane and a passenger opened a door into her path.
Waymo and cyclists
Waymo and cyclists Waymo has recently begun rolling out its vehicles in London, where they are currently operating with a safety driver while the company prepares for a fully driverless launch, pending government approval. The company says its cars use a mix of sensors and software to understand their surroundings and react in real time, and that they are designed to recognize cyclists and drive cautiously around them.
A Waymo blog post highlights how its autonomous vehicles are designed to safely coexist with cyclists, emphasizing that rising cycling activity and ongoing road risks make safety a priority. The company says its self-driving system can recognize different types of bikes, interpret hand signals, and predict cyclist behavior, allowing vehicles to slow down, give space, and avoid aggressive passing. It does not mention cycling infrastructure such as bike lanes and bike boxes.
Critics question whether the technology can handle unpredictable situations, and whether allowing robotaxis could lead to more car trips overall, potentially increasing congestion and collisions.
As Waymo continues expanding, it is also looking to enter new markets, including Canada. Toronto is widely seen as a likely future testing ground, which could bring the same debates over safety, regulation, and how autonomous vehicles interact with growing bike lane networks.