That is because it is not a bike lane. It is a simple symbol to indicate space. However it is pleasing that many motorists do think it indicates some sort of bike lane and generally stay away from the left side of the lane.Summernight wrote:The only problem with those roads is that the bike symbol and painted section are very intermittent.
Not my experience and like I said, I commute regularly in one such wide kerbside lane.... on an uphill section to boot. Certainly the idea of keeping a safe distance is important.Summernight wrote:Yes, a car can possibly safely pass in the same lane, but the same issue about the driver making sure they are a safe distance away still applies. And what usually happens is that where there isn't the painted line or sign the car will drift back over left.
I don't want to get side-tracked into the merits or otherwise of wider kerbside lanes. My point was that there are all sorts of combinations of roads and lane widths. Some demand a lane-change to pass, due to restricted space; some do not. It is not a blanket "yes all overtaking motorists must make a full lane change" nor "no rule applies requiring a lane change". It all depends on the situation, but safety when overtaking is paramount as a principle in our road rules. Safety is much more than just "I did not collide with you".