Making Left Turns and other questions

[Grog]

What do you think about riding on the bike shoulder against traffic for a long block? I think it will simplify this tricky corner. On the correct side of this road there's no crosswalk for the side street while there is on the other side.

Very dangerous in my opinion. Even more so approaching an intersection, you don't know who's going to come turning right on you (bike, ped, car...).

Even if it were legal, I would never ride on sidewalks, either. I don't want drivers to even start thinking of me as a pedestrian... Also I generally see sidewalks as a dangerous place for bikes, too far off to the right to be in the field of vision and field of conscience of drivers...

[Crankin]

Never, never ride against the traffic. I take the lane to make lefts, get into the traffic a good distance ahead of the turn and stick my arm out. My friends make fun of me because when I'm signaling, I sort of shake my finger/hand to emphasize I'm turning. They say it's my school teacher scolding signal. I feel much safer in a line of cars as they usually give me a wide berth, rather than being pushed to the side of the road. I will get in a line of cars when going straight at an intersection, if I think there's a narrow space on the right. My husband on the other hand, rides right up along the cars in teeny tight spaces in horrible traffic. I can't do that!
I have gone up on a sidewalk a couple of times when I was at a very busy spot and saw that I couldn't get in the lane to turn. I stopped and then went straight across the intersection. However, there aren't sidewalks around where I live in too many places, so this really isn't an option.

[KnottedYet]

Please don't ride against traffic.

[Geonz]

If I have to go against traffic, I'd be up on the sidewalk, off the road (prob'ly walking).

[HillSlugger]

Re: going against traffic:

Thanks for setting me straight. It's a bad idea. I don't know what I was thinking.

[F8th637]

I recently went to a Confident City Cycling class sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and the instructor said that it's always a bad idea to go against traffic. He also said to stay off the sidewalks as much as possible even though in VA you are allowed to be on the sidewalk. Overall, he said the two aforementioned actions are highly dangerous. I'm still trying to get my confidence to stay off the sidewalks. Slowly but surely, right?

[lizbids]

Take a look at my thread where I ask to "always ride with traffice." Yesterday (in a car) we hit a cyclist going the wrong way.

[Micki Rider]

Hi,

On my commute I have to turn right onto a 1 way two-drive-lane street, and then after two blocks make a left.

Is it OK for me to be riding in the left hand lane the whole way that two blocks until I turn left? It feels safer. But I can tell it annoys cars that I am not riding on the far right or right side where they are used to seeing cyclists. I usually take my own lane on the left and pedal like mad, just to be sure I'm keeping up with traffic while trying to avoid ticking anyone off.

Am I doing all I should do?

[lph]

Good replies, here's my two øre: I "ride like a car" if at all possible, but it does depend on the speed of the other traffic. If I'm *significantly* slower, I would try to stay out of the way and maybe use a pedestrian crossing. If I'm just a bit slower I'll take the lane, make huge obvious hand signals, and make an effort to accelerate fast out of a stop.

I'll pass a line of cars standing still if I can see there's room for me at the front or side, but I always stop where I'm most visible to the closest car, usually just in front and to the right of them. I never pass cars on the right if they're moving or I suspect they'll start moving while I'm passing. In other words I only go to the front of a line at intersections I know well, and then I'll usually sneak ahead as far as I can ahead of the line, so that I will be the first "vehicle" across the intersection. This is the only traffic rule I tend to bend. Passing someone in an intersection isn't allowed here, so I do my best to be all the way past the intersection and over to the side before someone needs to pass me.

[li10up]

I agree with those that say you should stay in line when stopping at an intersection. If you are afraid of getting hit from behind then you could just stay in line but to the right of the car in front of you. I agree that we shouldn't make motorists pass us twice. If we don't anger them they are more likely to share the road...granted some a-holes will yell/honk no matter what. I figure they are just unhappy in general so I don't worry about them.

That said, I have moved to the front of the line on occasion and when I'm riding with others and that's what they do. But I try to be patient most days.

[crumpincommuter]

The following link was by posted League of American Bicyclists and although the article originates from the UK, the theory is applicable on this side of the pond too!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1695668.ece

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I always wait my proper turn behind the line of cars at an intersection UNLESS I am going to turn right. Then I don't make my turn until it is VERY safe to do so.

Micki-
I would take the right into the right lane and stay near the right curb during my right turn in order to be safe during that maneuver. After the danger period of the right turn is done, I would start watching for openings. This is a several stage maneuver: from right curb area look for a safe moment to "take" the middle of the right lane. This will be during the first block. Start looking for a safe opening to enter the left lane. Signal your intentions. When you have the opening, TAKE the left lane in the middle and by this time you should be into your second block area, nearing your left turn zone. Start signaling your left turn coming up so the cars in back of you won't get too impatient before your turn. Stay in the MIDDLE of your left lane during your turn- otherwise some smarta** will try to pass you/cut you off on either side of you while you are making your left turn. Watch for someone trying it anyway. Cars love to try to pass bikes DURING turns.
If traffic is heavy and o openings present themselves at all before your left turn, just STOP and get off and WALK your bike across the street for your left turn. It's not worth your life.
Not actually seeing your setup there, I think this is how I would handle it.