The Bike Lane is for Two Wheeled-Vehicles

I'm always amazed to discover how many drivers from Maryland and Virginia don't understand the meaning of separate lane on the street with the symbol of the bicycle on it. Perhaps they are confused, thinking they are in the parking lot of Target or Walmart

Today I witnessed a man biking on R Street. He attempted to get by a SuperShuttle van sitting squarely across the bike lane. When he stopped and brought it to the attention of the driver that "This is a BIKE LANE", the driver just grinned and shook his head.

The biggest culprits of this are definitely our friends from suburbia. The next time you are riding your bike in the bike lane and you are cut off by the Escalade driven by the woman drinking a latte and talking on the cell phone, take a look at the license plate. Guaranteed it will be Maryland or Virginia (likely Maryland, they actually score points for killing people, I think.)

However, one note. Two-wheeled vehicles do NOT include baby strollers! I actually had to swerve out into New Hampshire Avenue recently to avoid a man that was on a leisurely stroll in the bike lane with one of those huge double strollers (with one empty seat of course, the 6 year old was obviously in school at the time.)

So pass the word on to your suburban friends or tell the driver on the street loudly the next time you see him blocking the lane: The Bike Lane is for Two Wheeled-Vehicles only!