Mass. Ave. to get bike lanes between Boston Medical Center and Huntington Ave.

I actually don't mind scooters, wheelchairs, segways, etc. so long as they behave themselves, don't try to pass where there is no room, don't ride your wheel, etc. ... and aren't 2-stroke blue smokers that cause all the respiring cyclists to gag and puke! Retro my ass.

2-stroke vehicles should not be allowed on urban roadways at all due to their emissions.

My scooter (2.5'x6') is barely bigger than an average bicycle (2'x6'). It's capable of staying upright at low speeds. If anything, you'd think bikes would appreciate something like that in the lane because parked cars would *really* think twice about just opening their door if they thought there'd be more scooters with the potential to damage their door more than the scooter, unlike a bike. :)

I'd say that anything legally using the bike lane more often is better for everyone who uses the bike lane because it raises awareness and attention to the lane's existence (and its inhabitants).

Now, that having been said, I choose to stay out of the bike lane except in the more extreme traffic situations. Most cars give me more "equality" on the road if I travel just like they do instead of constantly use my ability to skip them on the right all the time. I also found that unless I skipped about 3-5 cars by passing on the right, I don't benefit exceptionally anyways by passing on the right. When there is no bike lane, I also choose to slow down when passing most bicyclists riding in the right lane. I do this primarily to give them a longer buffer before the next car runs up on them from behind. I've also stopped to yell at drivers parked in the bike lane on Comm Ave before. Hell, I'm probably one of the only car drivers these days who still slows down and flashes his headlights to let 18-wheelers over in front of me on the highway when they need to pass something (I also have a CB).

I recognize others on the road and try to make their lives easier too. All I ask to do is the same on my scooter where it's legally allowed and doesn't harm anyone, like driving in the bike lane when I deem it necessary. You're against making my life easier even though I'm for making yours easier?

Ha! More like swerve in an out of bike lanes WHILE texting.

Cambridge has many miles of heavily used bike lanes, with few accidents over the years.

Are you playing your assumptions out in vivid exaggeration? Or is there some data that you would like to link to that says otherwise?

The attitude that only X people are "allowed" to discuss "Y" issue is a huge part of the entire area's problem with a fundamental inability to coordinate and plan anything on a meaningful geographic scale. It also leads to cyclists being taken seriously only because the Mayor has a new hobby - not because of any sense of modern urban planning standards directed toward tangible planning goals.

are sub 50cc. I would say at least 80% of scooters on the road are sub-50cc nowadays. Anything over 50cc requires a motorcycle license. Now whether or not they go at the limited speed of 30 mph is a whole different issue.

Real Biker, You will explain to us why one needs their credentials approved (by you) for commenting on bike lanes only if I can prove (to you) my biking credentials? That seems a bit circular to me. And I didn't say Kaz couldn't discuss bike lanes -- I pointed out that you seemed to be doing so.

Nearly all of the scooter drivers I run into on a daily basis on the streets of Boston are sub-50cc class vehicles (including pedal-start mopeds too). It's anecodotal to be sure, but I am out there a lot and have an obvious particular interest in seeing what my fellow 2-wheelers are driving. For every Il Bello 150cc, I probably see about 2-3 Piaggio/Vespa Fly50/LX50s (actual size -- 49cc). Since the RMV law changed, anyone can now look and see if it has an orange sticker (49cc or less) or a small Limited Use or Motorcycle license plate (50cc and above) as a quick litmus test of engine size.

You're simply wrong that sub-50cc scooters are for hipsters and garage junkies. For months, Herb Chambers would sell out their 49cc stock within a week of arrival and I know other area stores have been the same. Because of fuel economy, parking convenience, and no need to get a Motorcycle license/course, sub-50cc scooters have had a resurgence in popularity in the past 2 years. Most of the ones you see parked on the sidewalks are sub-50cc. In fact, I'm neither a hipster nor a garage junkie. I got it for the convenience and to more easily commute from Brighton to Cambridge and Brighton to BUMC for work. My scooter is only 2 years old, is under 50 cc, and doesn't fit any of the mental bins you've created for scooter riders.