Bike Lane? NO Bike Lane?

Today on my way home from the Loop I pulled up next to a fellow scooterist.  We excanged the custamary head nod and “whad ups”.  Then he asked me, “you alway ride in the bike lane?”

At first I was thinking who is this sanctimonious no helmet having dude?  But then I got to thinking maybe he does think I always ride in the bike lane.

I answered ” No, Only when it is clear and only in traffic that is at a complete stop at a light to get around it.”  Let’s face it who likes to sit in traffic, especially if you can avoid it.  I don’t know about you but, those exhaust fumes make me ill.

He seemed to agree with my explanation for using the bike lane, least I think he did, the light changed and away we went.

So do you use the bike lane?