Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them • Hacker News Board

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#11

Post by jMyles » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:09 PM UTC

Der_Einzige wrote: post #2

Expecting bike riders to follow traffic laws is also unrealistic. This is why they often have a massively higher rate of fatalities, including in localities with good bike infrastructure.

> Expecting bike riders to follow traffic laws is also unrealistic. This is why they often have a massively higher rate of fatalities,

This is an unconscionable degree of victim-blaming. Psychotic-level.

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#12

Post by teaearlgraycold » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:10 PM UTC

l1n wrote: post #5

this is a pointer to https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/04/22/waymo-is-not-in-the-v... In San Francisco, the vehicles often pull into bike lanes to pick up and drop off passengers — because that’s what they’re programmed to do, according to advocates who’ve asked the company for an explanation. Waymo has told advocates that expecting it to respect bike lanes is “too high a bar” because customers expect to be dropped of…

> the vehicles often pull into bike lanes to pick up and drop off passengers

FWIW after ~150 Waymo rides I don't think I've had a car pick me up or drop me off in a bike lane. This must depend highly on exactly where you ride to/from.

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#13

Post by jmclnx » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:10 PM UTC

So the real statement is "Following the law is unrealistic".

Well if waymo was in my city, I will make sure I ride my bike in the middle of the lane in front of a waymo vehicle. Doing that is legal were I am.

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#14

Post by jsbisviewtiful » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:11 PM UTC

itopaloglu83 wrote: post #3

We can keep autonomous cars out of bike lanes like we keep normal drivers, keep fining them for every incident. It’s not like they don’t keep the video evidence.

If I was struck by an autonomous vehicle while riding in the bike lane I would sue and sue like I was taking aim at a corporation rather than an individual driver. I -or my partner, assuming I died- would retire very early on that money.

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#15

Post by seanmcdirmid » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:11 PM UTC

itopaloglu83 wrote: post #3

We can keep autonomous cars out of bike lanes like we keep normal drivers, keep fining them for every incident. It’s not like they don’t keep the video evidence.

Are you proposing or saying this is how it already works? Because in my experience, it doesn’t work like this at all. The countries that have good bike infrastructure like the Netherlands seem to focus on actual physical separation. They do fines also, they just don’t rely on fines (and lawsuits) like Americans seem to.

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#16

Post by vinni2 » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:12 PM UTC

Der_Einzige wrote: post #2

Expecting bike riders to follow traffic laws is also unrealistic. This is why they often have a massively higher rate of fatalities, including in localities with good bike infrastructure.

> Expecting bike riders to follow traffic laws is also unrealistic.

Can you cite the research to back up your claim? Because I have the research claiming the opposite the cyclists are more compliant with traffic rules than cars [0]. Including in US [1]

[0] https://www.bicycling.com/news/a46443761/science-proves-moto...

[1] https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/biking/cycli...

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#17

Post by randyrand » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:12 PM UTC

Otherwise, you'd be doored during passenger drop-off.

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#18

Post by kevin_thibedeau » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:14 PM UTC

senthil_rajasek wrote: post #4

I live in the U.S. road.cc seems to be a cycling news site primarily for U.K. When I am driving a car or use a rideshare I expect to share the bike lane when turning or getting off. I wish the title had included these additional words "In some situations..."

I live in the US and bike lanes are not shared lanes for turning or stopping where I live.

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#19

Post by seanmcdirmid » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:15 PM UTC

We know how to keep cars out of bike lanes (curbs, barriers), and we already know that bike lanes co-located with on street parking is dangerous. We (well Americans) also don’t believe in creating pick up and drop off spots on our roads.

Re: Waymo says can't avoid bike lanes because riders want to be dropped off in them

#20

Post by janice1999 » Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:18 PM UTC

itopaloglu83 wrote: post #3

We can keep autonomous cars out of bike lanes like we keep normal drivers, keep fining them for every incident. It’s not like they don’t keep the video evidence.

And base the fines on the companies valuation, otherwise it'll just be written off as an operating expense. Normal fines and penalty points work as deterrents for everyday people, not multi-billion dollar companies. I also would not count on the availability of video evidence - see Tesla's withholding of evidence from investigators and courts.

https://electrek.co/2025/08/04/tesla-withheld-data-lied-misd...