Question about choosing the fast road vs the scenic bike path on 20th St

Every day I either take the direct route down 20th Street, which has a painted bike lane that cars keep drifting into, or I detour two miles extra to the protected path by the river. Last Tuesday I took the fast lane and got side-swiped by a delivery van near the Coffee Bean at 7th, so now I'm stuck on the slow path even though it adds 15 minutes. Has anyone else given up speed for safety, or am I just being paranoid about painted lanes?

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miller.eva3d ago

I understand why you'd go for the quiet path after getting hit. That's a hard way to learn a lesson. But I don't think painted lanes are the whole problem. It's more about how drivers act, and that delivery van would've been a danger no matter what kind of lane you were in. I've been riding 20th for years and honestly, I've had more close calls with parked cars opening doors on the river path than with traffic on the street. A two mile detour every day adds up fast, and I'd rather stay visible and predictable on the main road than hide where drivers aren't expecting a bike.