Atherton wants to have new bike routes done by early 2016

Bicyclists need to ride down the center of those arrows. That is what the arrows mean. Don't weave in and out of cars parked on the right. Cars that want to pass you can change lanes to pass.

First most, bicyclists are doing what keeps them safe. You're annoyed that they're avoiding danger, but you're the one most likely to kill them in this situation. Maybe you should stop blaming the victim, and maybe consider a realistic solution to separate bike traffic from car traffic. Protected bike lanes behind the parked cars would be ideal, but even separate bike lanes with green paint would be a start.

Tony, I know your heart is in the right place, but you clearly have never ridden a bike in Atherton. There are no roads in Atherton at all that are wide enough for parking-protected bike lanes, almost all streets even lack sidewalks. These marked bike routes are an improvement, and "parent" is absolutely right - you should bike in a predictable straight line. When you ride in the parking lane, motorists expect you to stop or turn into a driveway, not suddenly swerve into their path.

Bike routes are by far the weakest form of bike facility as riders and motorists are required to share a single vehicle lane. This does not provide a much safer environment for school age children who are the largest group of bike riders. Bike lanes with and without parking are much better.

Well intentioned people are missing the unintended consequences of this bike-lane project. Not only are Atherton roads too narrow to mark off any bike-lanes, but this plan is supposed to mix bicyclists and pedestrians in those narrow lanes. Cyclists are supposed to ride on the right side and obey traffic rules. Most blast right through intersections ignoring stop signs. Meanwhile, pedestrians are supposed to walk on the LEFT so they can safely see oncoming traffic and bicyclists. Half do. As a motorist, I sometimes have to stop entirely for a walker (often with his/her back to me) who is confidently walking along the road assuming cars will pull out into the other lane to pass him/her. Cars can't do that when there's on-coming traffic. It's a wonder more right-side walkers aren't run over! Bikers, walkers and cars have co-existed in Atherton for generations. Let's not deface the pavement and erect more intrusive signs while possibly causing more accidents and injuries in the process.

Just to clarify - this phase one proposal is not for bike lanes, it is for bike routes on the streets shown in the map. No lanes would be painted on the street. The town would put up signs and paint "sharrows" on the road showing a bicycle. From the story: "It's not a striped lane," Mr. Poster said. "It reminds motorists basically to share the road."
The town has proposed putting bike lanes, and separated bike paths, on some other streets and is studying the feasibility of doing that.