bit of an absolutist argument in california. can't speak to the UK.

it's obviously safer (for cyclists) for taxis or even carpools to drop off and pick up at the far right, ie into the bike lane. i think we can generally consider it to be "parking" not "driving" and thus within the letter of the law as well. (parking is explicitly allowed.)

we know this very well, and that's why there are curb-separated lanes and they tried a center lane on van ness for awhile.

it just generally sucks to share bikes and cars and we have to live with compromises.

I don't believe there is a country in the world, where parking on bike lanes is explicitly allowed. Merging before turns and stops for drop/pickup/load/unload sure. But not parking.