Once again the lack of leadership raises its ugly head in Portland and again the special interest group gets its way.
Why is the city of Portland going to close a valuable turn lane, that is used regularly by auto and truck traffic to accomodate people on bicycles that:
1. DON"T pay anything for the maintainance, upgrades,road taxes, and licencing and usage of the streets but DICTATE transportation department decisions.
2. SEEM to be too ignorant, suicidal, or just plain not paying attention to the traffic around them to be able to control the actions of their bicycles and themselves while riding. Most intelligent people can figure out that a 25 lb. bicycle with a 170 lb. rider is much easier to stop and control than a 2 ton, or more, vehicle travelling at the same speed, or in some cases slower since they are turning.

Isn't it time for the bicycle riders to take resposibilities for their own actions and to watch out for themselves.
Please don't bring up the tired old "what about the children" arguement since ALL the recent auto-bicycle accidents have involved adults. Most children are smart enough to figure out that if something else is bigger stay out of its way.