Quote Originally Posted by Lisa S.H. View Post
The biggy of all is: NEVER be on the right edge of the lane at an intersection if you are planning to go straight or to go left. Look all around you and signal to the cars around you what your intentions are- and note if they acknowledge you. If they don't- assume they don't see you.
And even if they DO see you, and even if you ARE following the law, and even if you ARE being safe, don't assume other people will do the same.

Last week I was stopped at a light and took the whole right lane. My side of the road was narrow and the bike lane actually started on the side of the intersection.
A van pulled up behind me and started laying on the horn. LOUD. I turned around and the guy was yelling at me in Spanish, gesturing me to get on the sidewalk. I waved and pointed to the bike lane across the street.
The light turned green so I clipped in. The guy hit the gas, drove into the left lane and then deliberately cut in front of me to make a right turn. He missed my front wheel by inches. I have no doubt he was deliberately trying to make me crash. Luckily, I was wary of him so I was able to stop in time.
I gave his license plate no. to the police, but they said there wasn't much they could do since the van had foreign plates. But they promised to "look into it". I'm not holding my breath.

Some people are just nuts.