08-06-2017, 08:22 AM
As the merging vehicle, the motorist should be the one adjusting speed, but we all know that the way things should be isn't the way things are and the consequences for the motorist failing to do so are much greater for me than it is for the motorist. If they're merging and it seems they are unaware of my presence, a quick light tap on my brakes should be enough for me to avoid trouble. The section with the green paint doesn't offer the cyclist any opportunity to avoid inattentive motorists, though, so making sure they are aware of cyclists is much more critical.
I guess the question should be at what point should they put the extra green paint. Considering the potential problems it has as a slippery surface in the rain, we don't want it to be ubiquitous. That would also lead to it's effect of drawing attention to the cycling lane being diminished. Situations where bike lanes cross merge lanes are sufficiently uncommon, though, that it would surely not be an issue to apply the paint in every case.
I guess the question should be at what point should they put the extra green paint. Considering the potential problems it has as a slippery surface in the rain, we don't want it to be ubiquitous. That would also lead to it's effect of drawing attention to the cycling lane being diminished. Situations where bike lanes cross merge lanes are sufficiently uncommon, though, that it would surely not be an issue to apply the paint in every case.