They’re looking for internet strangers to validate their outrage

Yeah I see people get confused often on Longfellow Bridge. I once stopped some tourists and showed them how to get around to the other side.

Who cares? Try complaining about something that actually matters.

I was confused too, but on some streets the bike lane is meant to go both ways - like on Brattle St, and that street around Irvine. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I really think you're in the wrong here - that just suggests you can pass to the left, either in lane or using part of the left lane on a road with at least two lanes in the same direction - it doesn't seem to me to override the rule that you can't pass in the oncoming lane unless the centerline is dashed.

We could try some traffic gardens, as a way to teach children and establish some norms. I've heard a few parents around Somerville/Cambridge discussing this, but not concrete plans.

You should always look both ways. Even cars go the wrong way down one-way streets sometimes.

At least they're in a bike lane!

Unless you're on Harvard or MIT campus or on portions of Mem Drive, there's no reason to be riding on the sidewalk. This includes the Mass Ave Bridge.

Okay, thanks for coming to my Cambridge Ted Talk.

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter89/Section2

It's like cyclists should have to be licensed. It's crazy how many people are up voting you with no concept of the law

It's not legal to switch into the oncoming lane when there's a solid yellow centerline? It's almost as if in some circumstances everyone flouts the rules because it's convenient , and we're all fully capable of understanding when nuance is appropriate

Bike infrastructure is relatively new to most people, and we don't have a consistently communicated set of norms around them as we do with roads. Virtually every driver in the country has to take some sort of course and exam before they get in a vehicle. Nothing like that is true of cycling, and if there is, it's not consistent across jurisdictions. Maybe with time things will get better, but for a lot of folks, this new infrastructure is essentially appear in front of their eyes with little to no communication by the institutions creating it.

Does this excuse the behavior? No. But it shouldn't be surprising to see a certain level of anarchy with bike infrastructure in this transitional period.

Also, the nonsense that happens in and around bike lines is committed by pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. On my bike ride from North Cambridge to South End (and back) yesterday, I encountered about 10 cars parked in the bike lane, 5 pedestrians walking in the bike lane, 2 bluebike cyclists stationary in the bike lane, 1 car that almost doored me, and 1 cyclist who pulled into the bike lane from the sidewalk without looking at oncoming cycling traffic. There were also 3 cars who did not check the bike lane before turning right. This is an everyone problem.

Rather than throw shade on Reddit, just do your best to inform people of the rules of the road when you get the opportunity, even if it's just a few words as you pass someone cycling the wrong way.

Are you mixing up passing someone with driving the wrong way down the road? Incredible. You realize it is legal to switch lanes to pass right? Or do you think traffic has to grind to a stop whenever a delivery truck makes a stop?

I can almost guarantee it wouldn’t make a difference, coming from someone that was on the other side of this kind of interaction

Cars drive in the opposite lane to pass me on a bicycle all the time, regardless of whether there's a dotted centerline. Because it's convenient! And not a huge deal if you don't pass too close (although usually you'll end up feeling silly when I pass you at the next light)

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I too drive the wrong way down the road whenever I want. Who cares about laws, I do what's convenient for me

On Western Ave, other bikers occasionally shout at me for riding in the wrong direction. I've tried switching to the sidewalk shortly before we pass (if there are no pedestrians) and I still receive deathly glares. I wish they'd understand it's the safest route into Central, and the lane is plenty wide if we both ride at appropriate speeds.

The Harvard athletes tend to e-scooter the wrong way in the bike lanes. I’ve considered emailing their respective coaches on some of my grumpier days (they all wear backpacks with their specific team).

Right? Also bikes going the wrong way on one-way streets without bike lanes.

However, there are some one-way streets with two-way bike lines. There's a stretch of Brattle St. in Harvard Sq. that has it; as a pedestrian, I almost got hit by a bike when it was new because I didn't know I had to start looking both ways.

Provincial? You're the one going on about a rural way of life. And not in a way that matches my experience; I grew up in a rural area and bicycles went with, not against, other street vehicles. Only pedestrians on the side of the road walk against traffic.

Same. Grew up pretty rural and you always biked with traffic and ran and walked against it.

I see it when there’s a lane on the other side too, so while you make a good point, it’s not always because there’s no other safe option.

Still mad you didn't get into PILOT, huh?

IMHO - Not sure about other places, but I can overlook it on Western Ave, even though the bike lane is one way. The alternative to get to Central Sq is to ride down River St where there is no bike lane and drivers tend to speed down that street. I figure the lane on Western is wide enough to fit two bikes and in the end they'll get to Central more safely.

This is the same thing as complaining about bikers on sidewalks. They are only doing it because there doesn’t exist safe/convenient/clear infrastructure to ride in the correct direction. The solution is not wishing upon a star for people to behave better, but to build proper infrastructure so people don’t have to break the rules just to preserve their safety.