Bike lanes great, but people must use them

On Nov. 14, 2012, at 5: 20 p. m., I was driving east on Santa Clara Street, trying to get to South 33rd and East San Antonio streets. Eastbound traffic stalled as I approached Eighth street. I knew that the intersections at Tenth and Eleventh would be similarly congested, so I turned right on South Eighth street, then left on East San Fernando. When I got to South Tenth, I found the stalled traffic that was causing the backup on East Santa Clara Street; hundreds of vehicles were trying to merge into the only two lanes that existed. As I sat in stalled traffic inching along one block to turn left on East San Antonio, I looked over at the bicycle lane to the right, which used to be a lane of traffic, thinking that at least the bicyclists had a safe lane to use. Unfortunately, I did not see a single bicyclist the entire 5 minutes it took me to go one short block. City Councilman Sam Liccardo is correct. The new bicycle lanes have had the effect of “calming” traffic. I only wish there was someone using them during the rush hour. Eugene Flemate

San Jose