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In parts of Boston you have to basically consider the rightmost lane the "temporary parking" lane. It's pointless to try to drive in it because every block will be two or three cars or vans parked making deliveries or picking people up.

The actual parking spots are full of residents' cars which haven't moved since the last street sweeping or snow ban.

To top it off, many/most streets are one way, meaning, cars will be "double-parked" in the left lane too. Fortunately our streets are 3-4 lanes wide so there's still room for actual traffic.

I used to try to bike on these streets (which are also full of potholes). I'm surprised I'm still alive.

Here's a great example on Boylston Street in 2016: https://goo.gl/maps/PQgtntVNYzgq98wcA Note the bicyclist up ahead who just had to navigate that. Spin around to see the Dunbar truck double-parked on the left side.

Same spot, 2019: https://goo.gl/maps/fb6k6i6HQUizpoKc8 This time the car's on the opposite side of the street. But spin around to see both a city bus and a huge SUV double-parked at the same spot.

(City buses often have to double-park either due to construction or just because some cars parked in the bus area.)

Of course when we are lucky to get bike lanes they are often treated as "double parking" lanes.

Tickets are handed out but they are treated as the cost of doing business. It's rare to see a delivery truck driving around without a ticket stashed under windshield wiper.

Having driven in streets like this most of my life is the reason I feel it is the ultimate hubris for Elon or anyone to think they can solve full self driving without also solving AGI.




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