Q We’ve been watching the installation of the protected bike lanes on Third and Fourth streets, as well as other streets in downtown San Jose. People have been asking me (as sometimes I do bike to work) about the solid white line on the protected buffered bike lane. Are drivers supposed to turn right from their own lane without veering to the right into the bike lane to turn at intersections?

Or can they treat the protected bike lanes like other bike lanes that have a dotted line indicating shared space for bicyclists and cars to turn right?

None of us has ever encountered bike lanes that look like these new bike lanes, and we’re unsure about what to do.

Bill Nance, Elena Seto, Ray Descalzo, Paul Colin, Carmen Cook and many more

A Manuel-the-City man says: “You can cross in or out of the bike lane areas where the inside buffer line is broken or dashed. Motorists are only permitted to cross into buffered bike lanes areas to access parking, driveways and within 200 feet of intersections to negotiate turns.”

This marks a major change in driving patterns on five downtown streets — Almaden Boulevard, Third, Fourth, 10th and 11th streets — where some driving lanes are being replaced with wide, buffered bike lanes. It’s part of the “road diet” strategy being employed across the Bay Area. To view the new bike lanes, check our website.

Later this summer the city will add green-bike lanes along San Fernando Street and install 15 bike-share stations with 200 bikes located throughout downtown.

The city expects these projects will lead to a small reduction in speed, an increase in the number of bicyclists, and improved safety for everyone. About one year from now, the city will see if the rates of collisions and speeds have changed.

Q I have noticed that Interstate 80 through Fairfield has gotten much worse in the last few months on Friday afternoons. Please let us know if this is due to the adjacent road construction or if there are actually more people on the road these days trying to get out of town.

William Egloff

Quincy

A Both of the above, with another possible two factors. The improving Bay Area economy likely means more people have more money to take off for Lake Tahoe and other vacation stops on the weekend, while others are staying closer to home to save a few bucks.

A recent study shows Friday afternoons are the worst time of the week to drive in nearly three-quarters of metro areas across the country. Los Angeles, of course, is the worst. It recorded the longest Friday afternoon delays of 100 areas measured, where the average Friday commute was 44 percent longer than without any congestion, compared to about 34 percent more during peak hours Monday through Thursday. That’s enough to add about 13 minutes to a trip taking 30 minutes without traffic.

San Francisco-Oakland held down the No. 2 spot with an average of 35 percent longer commutes on Friday afternoons, extending a 30-minute trip by more than 10 minutes.

San Jose came in No. 12, with Friday drives taking seven minutes longer than the rest of the week.

Q We think the Benicia Bridge is one of the best. We travel to Truckee on a regular basis and every time we go over this new bridge we talk about what a great job Caltrans did with the bridge and how we should thank them some day. There is never a wait now, and we remember the many hours we spent waiting to get over that old bridge.

Vivian and Bruce Euzent

A I field quite a few calls like this. The opening of the new bridge a few years ago marked the Bay Area debut of open-road tolling, which allows vehicles with FasTrak transponders to bypass the toll booths and cross the span without slowing down.

But if you are traveling across here over the next few days be on the alert. Caltrans will make temporary lane changes in order to install a new automated toll collection and accounting system Saturday through Friday. The two FasTrak Express lanes at the left side of the toll plaza will be closed daily from 8 p.m. until noon the following day.

Q Mr. Roadshow is back and the Giants get Hunter Pence. Coincidence? I think not. Welcome back, Road Deity.

Catherine Chiaro

Fremont

A I had lumbar problems, but I really like the lumber outfielder Pence packs.

Have a gripe, minor annoyance or major problem with transportation? Look for Gary Richards at www.facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@mercurynews.com or 408-920-5335. The fax number is 408-288-8060.