Silly communting question

[Kelly728]

This isn't an issue now since I don't even have a bike yet, but it is something that is racking my brain. Since you are supposed to ride on the right side of the lane how would you make a left turn on a two lane street or something with a separate turn lane?

Uh.. I mean COMMUTING. wow.

[Biciclista]

you signal your intent and get into the left lane. you can be on the right hand side of the left lane if you feel safe there; that's where i go.
The law is as far to the right as is safe. so when you're turning left that IS in the left lane.

[lph]

When in doubt, ride like a car. Allow cars to pass on your left as long as there's room and it doesn't endanger you, but when it's necessary take the entire lane. If you're riding a lot slower than the other traffic you have to be careful, check your back, start moving out and give clear hand signals well in advance, but when you have to change lanes you have to. Make sure you're visible and DO IT.

If traffic is heavy, fast or it just feels too dangerous, stay on the right until you find another way to cross. Just like when you were a novice driver, you can't win'em all

[Kelly728]

It is a busy road, so the crossing over to another lane was my concern.

Basically I would stop on the side until it is safe and then signal over to get into the turn lane.

What if it is a busy lane where traffic is going straight but I still need to make the turn? I wouldn't want to wait in the middle of the road! Maybe I'm just looking too much into this.

[Deborajen]

Another way is to use the crosswalk, if there is one. Stay to the right and use the "walk" signals, dismounting your bike to walk across so cars are certain what to expect from you.

Deb

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You do not want to be in the right part of any lane if you intend to turn left.
You need to plan your turns ahead of time, signal very broadly to cars, and be aware of all cars to your left, right, in front, and behind you. A mirror can help.

Sounds like you should read up online a little bit about bicycle traffic safety...it's a pretty big subject, but one that your life might depend on.
Google is your friend!

[Kelly728]

You do not want to be in the right part of any lane if you intend to turn left.
You need to plan your turns ahead of time, signal very broadly to cars, and be aware of all cars to your left, right, in front, and behind you. A mirror can help.

Sounds like you should read up online a little bit about bicycle traffic safety...it's a pretty big subject, but one that your life might depend on.
Google is your friend!

To google I will go. Google runs my life, basically. Just figured I'd ask those who do it first

[7rider]

Kelly,

Check out WABA's Safe Bicycling Tips. It has some great info on lane positioning, and general safety guidelines.

There, they also have a link to the Bike Arlington's Guide "Safe Bicycling in the Washington Area". This link is a 1.53 MB pdf file. You can request a hard copy from WABA. The guide goes over a lot of stuff - from bike fit, to clothing, to (again) lane positioning, and how to deal with traffic.

Good luck.

[Grog]

I find this to be the best web site, and also the simplest:

http://bicyclesafe.com/

Good luck.

[wolfak]

If it's just a two-laner, I migrate carefully to the center portion of the lane signaling appropriately.

If there's a left turn lane, I position myself into the center of that lane ever so carefully.

If it's too difficult, I sometimes will try the "fake right turn", i.e. turn right, but make a counter-clockwise turn left to be headed the direction I wanted to go. This is also a good evasive maneuver if a car from the right doesn't appear to be seeing you.

All of my techniques come from a book called
The Art of Urban Cycling. It's a handy resource.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

All of my techniques come from a book called
The Art of Urban Cycling. It's a handy resource.

My favorite safety strategy book as well.
(But the first edition by that name is now rather expensive used on Amazon.....better to buy the much cheaper more recent edition which has a new title: "The Art of Cycling: a guide to cycling in 21st century America". Same exact book, new title.)

[Kelly728]

Perfect.

Thanks for the sites... and the book recommendation!